the cognitive approach Flashcards
what is the cognitive approach
studies information processing, i.e. ways in which we extract, store and retrieve information that helps to guide our behaviour
what is a schema
a cognitive framework that helps organise and interpret information in the brain
why are schemes useful to us
they allow us to take shortcuts when interpreting the huge amount of information we have to deal with on a daily basis
what is a problem with schemas
they cause us to exclude anything that doesn’t conform to our established ideas about the world.
what is a consequence of schemas
we may develop stereotypes
give an example to demonstrate how schemas help us to fill in the gaps in the absence of full information
if we classify food as “foreign”, our schemas will tell us what to expect and we act accordingly, regardless of how tasty the food
define theoretical models
in cognitive psychology, models are simplified, usually pictorial representations of a particular mental process based on current research evidence
define computer model
refers to the process of using computer analogies as a representation of human cognition
how is information coded using a computer analogy
- information is inputted through the senses
- encoded into memory
- combined with previously stored information to complete a task
what is cognitive neuroscience
an area of psychology dedicated to the underlying neural bases of cognitive function
what has the use of non-invasive neuroimaging techniques helped psychologist to do?
to understand how the brain supports different cognitive activities and emotions by showing what parts of the brain become active in specific circumstances
give an example of how cognitive neuroscience has been used in psychology
Burnett (2009) found that when people feel guilty, several brain regions are active, including the medial prefrontal cortex, an area associated with social emotions
explain the strength that the cognitive approach has applications
- the cognitive approach to psychopathology has been used to explain how much of the dysfunctional behaviour shown by people can be traced back to faulty thinking processes.
- this has led to the successful treatment of people with depression and OCD using cognitive-based therapy
explain the strength that the cognitive approach is scientific
- cognitive psychologists emphasis on scientific methods as a particular strength to this approach
- the use of the experimental method provides researchers with a rigorous method for collecting and evaluating evidence.
- therefore conclusions about how the mind works are based on far more than common sense and introspection
explain the limitation of using computer models
- there is an important difference between the sort of information processing that takes place within a computer program and that within the human mind
- computers don’t make mistakes, nor do they ignore available information or forget anything that has been stored on their hard drive. Humans do all of these things.
