The cognitive Approach - Internal Mental Processes Flashcards
Key assumptions of the cognitive approach
- Behaviour is influenced by thoughts, both conscious and unconscious
(internal mental processes). - Internal mental processes, e.g. memory, perception etc. can be studied.
- Mental processes can involve schema.
- Theoretical and computer models can be used.
- It is possible to make inferences about cognitive processes
- Neural mechanisms can be combined with cognitive processes (cognitive
neuroscience).
The role of models
Models can be used to provide testable theories about mental processing and these can be studied scientifically and inferences made. Making inferences means going beyond the immediate evidence to make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed.
Theoretical models in cognitive psychology (such as the multi-store model of memory) are simplified representations based on current research evidence. Models are often pictorial in nature, represented by boxes and arrows that indicate cause and effect in mental processes. Models are often incomplete and are frequently updated. For example, the Working Memory Model was first proposed in 1974, but a fourth component was added in 2000.
Introduction about inferences
- Cognitive psychologists often investigate internal mental processes by using the methods of laboratory and field experiments.
- They also use inferences about cognitive internal processes. This means that the cognitive model might make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed, and this goes beyond immediate research evidence (it is difficult to gather data and evidence about inferences).
- Direct observation of internal cognitive processes is not possible; results must be inferred from behaviour/data which might be mistaken or incorrect (invalid)
- Behaviour is influenced by thoughts that are both conscious and unconscious
Mental processes
Mental processes are a form of information processing which can be compared to that of a computer. Cognitive psychologists have also made use of computer models to explain mental processes. Using computers as an analogy, information is inputted through the senses, coded into memory and then combined with previously stored information. Computer models are often used to explain memory, long-term memory is like a hard-disk and RAM is like working memory. Like working memory, RAM, is cleared and reset when a task has been carried out.
The role of schema
Schema are mental representations of experience, knowledge and understanding. They help organise and interpret information in the brain. For example, schema for specific events are based on expectations of how to behave in a different situation (e.g. a restaurant or a classroom) or in different roles (e.g. as a prison guard or a student). Schema are useful because they help us predict what will happen in our world based on our previous experiences. Schema also enable us to process vast amounts of information rapidly. Finally, schema prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.
However, schema can distort our interpretation of sensory information. Schema could also lead to perceptual errors or inaccurate memories. They can cause biased recall as we see what we expect. Negative or faulty schema may have a negative impact on mental health (e.g. the negative triad).
Two types of schemas
Role schema - A schema about behaviour that is expected from someone in a particular role
Event schema - A schema about what to expect from an event
Advantages of Cognitive Approach
+ The cognitive approach uses controlled experimentation so has scientific rigour. However, the use of controlled environments lacks ecological validity meaning we may not get an understanding of how cognitive processes such as memory work in real life
5) The cognitive approach has had a big influence on the development of cognitive neuroscience in psychology as well as therapies. Cognitive neuroscience aims to scientifically study the influence of the brain structure on mental processes, and this has only been possible due to the work that has been developed through the cognitive approach/model For instance cognitive therapy aims to change negative thoughts into more positive thoughts to help cure depression. The cognitive approach has also helped to devise cognitive behavioural therapy, so the approach is very useful and beneficial for therapies and treatments (+)
1) A strength of the cognitive approach is that it has many applications in different areas of Psychology. For example social cognitions can help psychologists understand how to form impressions of other people and how we might form cognitive errors and biases. Cognitive Psychology might also explain the development of faulty negative thinking which can aid our understanding of abnormal psychology e.g. phobias (+)
Disadvantages of Cognitive Approach
- Research from other approaches indicates factors other than internal mental events (such as genes, hormones, neurotransmitters etc.) are the causes of behaviour which are overlooked by the approach. It focuses heavily on internal mental processes which are often ignored by other models in Psychology
- The computer analogy is mechanistic which struggles to explain the irrationality seen in the emotive responses shown by people.
4) The cognitive approach can be criticised it does not give a full picture about what is really going on inside the working mind/brain. Psychologists and scientists still need to make inferences about cognitive processing which might be based on limited information available from research/experiments. It is questionable whether psychologists can really understand and explain thinking by using inference alone. (-)
- The cognitive approach is over simplistic. The focus is often on individual mental processes and often does not explain how different mental processes work together.
A study of the role of schemas by Bartlett (1932)
The study was conducted in a laboratory
* English participants were asked to read a Native American folk tale called, “The war of the Ghosts” which was an unfamiliar and strange story because it came from a very different culture. It had an unfamiliar and unusual story structure compared to an English story
* Participants had to read the story, and then after different lengths of time they had to recall the story as accurately as possible (to test their schemas and recall)
* The results of the study showed that all English participants changed the story to fit their own schema. They reconstructed the story in order to recall it better.
* The details of the story became more “English” and contained elements of the English culture.
* Details of “ghosts” were left out in the recall
* The order of the story was changed to be more “logical”
* Changes were made when recalling the story, for example, “canoes” were changed to “cars” and “bows” and arrows changed to “guns”.
* As more time passed between reading the story and recalling the details, it was found that participants seemed to remember less information.
* The conclusion to this study is that people use their own schemas to help them interpret and remember information, and this is dependent upon culture to an extent.
* Schemas are important when studying internal mental processes
Advantages of the study, “The war of the ghosts”
1) The study was conducted in a laboratory setting which is an advantage. This is because the setting and the IV can be highly controlled in order to accurately measure schemas and internal cognitive processes. The results are likely to be highly reliable if the study was to be repeated again (+)
2) The study has the strength of confirming how important schema theory is when investigating internal mental cognitive processes. It seems that people will recall information in a way that fits in with their schema. This could have implications when asking people to recall information for eye witness testimony and court proceedings. People might distort their memories according to their schemas, but now psychologists are aware of this issue, they can ensure this does not happen (+)
Disadvantages of the study, “The war of the ghosts”
3) The study can be criticised because the participants might have affected by demand characteristics. They might have guessed the aim of the study and might have altered their responses accordingly which might mean that the study and the results are not very valid. This might lead psychologist to question the results in relation to schemas and internal cognitive processes (-)
4) The study can be criticised because of the biased sample that was used. The study only used English participants which cannot be generalised to other samples from around the world. Therefore the results are quite narrow and biased and do not give a holistic view of different cultures and how their schemas and internal cognitive processes might operate. (-)
