The cognitive approach (Paper 2)

Question 1

What do cognitive psychologists study

Answer 1

Mental processes that were ignored by behaviourists

Question 2

How do cognitive psychologists study mental processes

Answer 2

By making inferences, drawing conclusions about what goes on in someone’s head from their behaviour in a lab study.

Question 3

How do cognitive psychologists explain cognitive processes

Answer 3

Using models based on the idea that the human mind can be compared to a computer

Question 4

What are schemas

Answer 4

Packages of knowledge and expectations developed from experience that help us process information more quickly.

Question 5

Is the cognitive approach considered a scientific approach to studying mental processes

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

Evaluate schemas based on how they help the mind (Strength)

Answer 6

Schemas allow us to engage with the world without being overwhelmed by sensory information, assigning objects to a schema (e.g. chair) means we do not have to consciously work out exactly what each object is individually.

Question 7

Evaluate schemas based on how they can help us predict the future (strength)

Answer 7

As schemas are based on previous experiences, they allow us to make assumptions about what objects and people will do in similar situations. These are often accurate as others act according to similar schemas (e.g. Teacher)

Question 8

Evaluate schemas based on how they cause problems (weakness)

Answer 8

Leads to inaccurate recall - assumptions due to schemas can influence memory, a particular problem for EWT, people may feel they are remembering accurately however, their recall has been altered by leading questions.

Question 9

Evaluate the cognitive approach based on how it is scientific and objective (strength)

Answer 9

Cognitive psychologists favour controlled, rigorous, lab based research methods. It’s origins and links are rooted in biology which combine for the scientific study of cognitive neuroscience. Credible, scientific, empirical based evidence.

Question 10

Evaluate the cognitive approach based on how it relies on inference (weakness)

Answer 10

Early cognitive approaches do rely on inference. This means some aspects can be abstract and theoretical. Lab studies often use artificial stimuli. Therefore, lacks external validity and not representative of everyday life.

Question 11

Evaluate the cognitive approach based on machine reductionism (weakness)

Answer 11

Human minds / computers have similarities, (input/output etc) the computer analogy has been criticised. Emotion and motivation have been shown to influence perception and EWT. Therefore, it is reductionist to assume the human mind processes in such a linear way.