The Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Assumptions

Answer 1

Argue that internal mental process can and should be studied scientifically. As a result studies neglected areas of human behaviour such as memory, perception and thinking. This processes are “private” and cannot be observed and so psychologist study them by making indirect interferences

Question 2

Theoretical model

Answer 2

One way to study internal processes is through the use of theoretical models. One important model is the informational processing approach which suggest that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages that include input, storage, retrieval, as in the multi store model.

Question 3

Computer model

Answer 3

The mind is compared to a computer by suggesting that there are similarities in the water information is processed. These models use the concepts of a central processing unit, the concept of coding that the use of stores to hold information. Proved useful in the development of thinking machines or artificial intelligence.

Question 4

Role of schema

Answer 4

Schema are packages of ideas and information developed through experience. They act as a mental framework for the interpretation of incoming information, the package of information learned helps you respond to objects correctly.

Babies are born with simple schema for innate behaviours, as we get older out schema becomes more detailed and sophisticated. Schema allows us to process info a lot more quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental short cut that prevents use from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli. However schema can distort out interpretations of sensory info leading to perceptual errors.

Question 5

The emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 5

Scientific study of the influence on brain structures on mental processes, mapping brain areas or specific cognitive functions has a long history in psychology.

Broca: damage to frontal lobe could permanently impair speech production.

fMRI and PET scans: observe and describe neurological basis of mental processes. Also proved useful in establishing neurological basis of mental disorders. Lead to development of mind mapping or ‘brain fingerprinting’. Future application could be analysis of brain waves of eyewitnesses to determine if someone is lying.

Question 6

Evaluation of cognitive approach

Answer 6

1. Lab experiments, credible scientific basis
2. Machine reductionism ignores the influence of human emotion and how this may affect out ability to process info
3. Too abstract, may not represent everyday experiences and may lack external validity