The Cognitive Approach Flashcards
Internal mental processes
operations of the mind that mediate between stimulus and response
Schema
mental framework of beliefs and expectations developed from experience/ influence cognitive processing/ packages of ideas and information
Inference
Drawing conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour
Cognitive neuroscience
The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on cognitive processes
Areas neglected by behaviourism
Memory, perception, and thinking
Information processing approach
Information flows through the cognitive system in a series of stages (input>storage>retrieval)
Computer models/ the computer analogy
Comparing the way the human mind processes information to how computers do
Similarities between the mind and computers
Central processing unit/ coding/ stores
How do cognitive psychologists think the mind works?
It has an input from our senses which it then processes and produces an output such as a language or specific behaviour
What is the role of a schema?
Enables us to process lots of information quickly (a mental short-cut) that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
What can be an issue with schema?
It may distort our interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual errors
What is cognitive neuroscience (CNS)?
The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes
What is a PET scan?
Measures the blood flow in the brain
What is an fMRI scan?
Measures brain activity
What are the cognitive approaches’ main methods of investigation?
1) Laboratory experiments for example, memory test under strictly controlled conditions
2) Case studies of individuals who have lost cognitive function as a result of brain damage
Emergence of Cognitive Neuroscience
Scientific study on the influencr of brain structures and mapping brain areas to specific cognitive functions. Brain imaging technology has also emerged such as fMRI and PET scans.
Cognitive Neuroscience: Tulving et al…
Required the use of episodic and semantic memory. They were able to identify how different types of long term memory may be located on opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex.
Scanning Techniques
Have proved useful in establishing the neurological basis of some mental disorders. Through scanning techniques, mind mapping techniques known as brain fingerprinting have been developed. A possible use of this could be to analyse brain wave patterns of eyewitnesses to determine whether they lie or not.
Evaluation: Scientific/Objective Methods
Cognitive methods involve highly controlled and rigorous methods in order to infer cognitive processes at work. This provides reliable objective data.
Evaluation: Machine Reductionism
Although similarities between the mind and computers, machine reductionism ignores the influence on human emotion and motivation.
Evaluation: Application
Psychologists can only infer mental processes from observed behaviour. As a consequence, cognitive psychology can be too abstract and theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out using artificial stimuli. Meaning it can lack experimental validity.
Evaluation: Extra
Deterministic
It suggests that our cognitive system can only operate within the limits of what we know, but we are free to think before responding to a stimulus.
