The Cognitive approach Flashcards
What does the cognitive approach look at?
The study of internal mental processes
The role of the schema
The use of theoretical and computer models
What does the cognitive approach focus on?
Non observable behaviours
What do cognitive psychologists focus on to explain behaviour?
Our perception, language, attention and memory
What type of methods do cognitive psychologists use to test behaviour?
Scientific, experimental procedures
Is the approach reductionistic? Why/why not?
Yes
Machine reductionism
Compares human behaviour to a computer
What comparisons does the cognitive approach make of humans to computers?
Central processing unit in a computer is like the brain in humans
Coding in computers is like the use of stores in humans to hold information
Why do cognitive psychologists use computer models?
To help make inferences about people’s thinking which is important as there is no physical evidence
Why is the comparison of the human mind to a computer a significant limitation of the cognitive approach?
- ignores the influence of emotion and motivation means the explanation is incomplete
- Humans have free will but computers don’t
- Humans have unlimited but unreliable memories whereas computers have a limited but reliable memory
What is a schema?
Contains all of the information you know about an object, action or situation
What do schemas help with?
They help to organise and interpret information and experiences
What happens when information that is consistent with the schema arrives?
It is assimilated into the schema which strengthens the schema
What happens when information that is inconsistent with the schema arrives?
It is accommodated into the schema which means the schema then has to change to resolve the problem
What can schemas help to explain?
Stereotypes
A schema which holds expectations or believes about a certain subgroup means that they will pay attention to things which strengthen their schema and ignore information that would be accommodated
Where do cognitive psychologists do their studies?
Take place in a controlled lab setting
What type of controlled studies do cognitive psychologists do?
Laboratory experiments
Case studies
Brain imaging techniques
What are strengths of lab studies for cognitive psychologists?
gives the approach reliability and credible scientific basis
What applications has the cognitive approach has?
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Development of artificial intelligence and thinking machines
Cognitive neuroscience
What methods do cognitive neuroscientists use?
Lesion studies, electrophysiology and neuroimaging
What criticisms are there of the cognitive approach?
- too abstract and theoretical in nature which means that it is unable to be generalised to everyday life
- Artificial stimuli - no reflection on everyday life, lacks external validity
- Lab setting = artificial, lacks ecological validity
What does the cognitive approach ignore?
The influence of genetic factors which may play a role in the behaviour
Is the cognitive approach deterministic?
It is less deterministic than other approaches
