Cognitive Approach

• What is the main focus of the cognitive approach in psychology?

  The cognitive approach focuses on mental processes involved in human cognition.
• How did the cognitive approach differ from the behaviorist approach?

  The cognitive approach emphasizes internal mental processes rather than just stimulus-response behavior.
• What does the cognitive approach suggest about sensory information?

  It suggests that sensory information is manipulated internally before responses are made.
• What method was rejected by the cognitive approach in favor of experimental methodology?


  Introspection was rejected in favor of experimental methodology.
• What are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach?

  • The mind actively processes information from our senses.
  • Complex mental processes occur between stimulus and response.
  • Humans can be viewed as data processing systems.
  • The workings of a computer and the human mind are similar.
• What internal mental processes does the cognitive approach study?

  The cognitive approach studies processes such as attention, memory, and decision-making.
• How might the cognitive approach investigate memory abilities?

  By comparing groups' abilities to memorize a list of words presented either verbally or visually.
• What is the Information-Processing Model in cognitive psychology?

  • Describes the mind as a computer.
  • Involves encoding incoming information, manipulating it mentally, and producing an output.
  • Example: An artist deciding on paint color after observing a landscape.
• What is the sequence of processes in the Information-Processing Model?

  Encoding of sensory information, information manipulation, and output.
• What are the newer models that have emerged in cognitive psychology?

  • Computational models: Focus on structuring the process of reaching behavioral output.
  • Connectionist models: View the mind as a complex network of neurons.
• What is a schema in cognitive psychology?

  A schema is an internal script for how to act or what to expect from a situation.
• How can schemas influence perception?

  Schemas can alter mental processing of incoming information, affecting how we perceive situations.
• What was the main finding of Bugelski and Alampay's (1962) study on the Rat Man?


  Participants' perceptions of the ambiguous figure were influenced by the sequence of images they had seen prior.
• What is the role of cognitive neuroscience in psychology?

  • Incorporates neuroscience techniques like brain scanning.
  • Studies the impact of brain structures on cognitive processes.
• What are the strengths of the cognitive approach?

  • Provides useful models for explaining internal mental processes.
  • Focuses on internal processes, unlike behaviorism.
  • Uses scientific experimental methods.
• What are the weaknesses of the cognitive approach?

  • May oversimplify complex mental processes.
  • Data often comes from unrealistic laboratory tasks, questioning ecological validity.
  • Comparing the human mind to a computer may be an unsophisticated analogy.
• What is determinism in psychology?

  Determinism is the view that free will is an illusion and behavior is governed by forces beyond our control.
• What are the two types of determinism mentioned?

  Hard determinism and soft determinism.
• How does hard determinism differ from soft determinism?

  Hard determinism argues that behavior is shaped by forces outside our control, while soft determinism allows for some degree of free will.
• What is free will in psychology?

  Free will is the idea that individuals can choose their behavior and are self-determined.
• What does the cognitive approach suggest about thought processes?

  The cognitive approach suggests that thought processes can be studied scientifically to understand behavior.
• What are the core assumptions of the cognitive approach?

  1. Thought processes can be studied scientifically.
  2. The mind works like a computer (input, processing, output).
  3. Stimulus-response relationships are appropriate for study.
• Who is considered the first cognitive psychologist?

  Ulrich Neisser is considered the first cognitive psychologist.
• What is the significance of the cognitive approach in psychology?

  The cognitive approach emphasizes the importance of thought processes in explaining behavior, differing from other psychological approaches.
• What do brainscanning techniques allow us to correlate?


  Brain regions and disorders
• Which two brain imaging techniques are mentioned?

  fMRI and PET
• What fields are integrated in Cognitive Psychology?


  • Cognitive science
  • Cognitive neuroscience
  • Physiology and cognition
• What is the role of the prefrontal cortex?

  Information processing and decision making
• What is the main focus of cognitive neuroscience?


  To find a biological basis for thought processes
• Who identified Broca's area and when?


  Broca identified it in the 1860s
• What does Broca's area affect?


  Speech production
• How have brain imaging techniques advanced in the last 20 years?


  They have improved the ability to investigate brain activity related to thought processes
• What does the left side of the prefrontal cortex recall?


  Semantic long-term memories
• What does the right side of the prefrontal cortex recall?


  Episodic memories
• How has cognitive neuroscience contributed to understanding mental disorders?


  It has helped to understand the neurological basis of some mental disorders
• What is the link between the parahippocampal gyrus and OCD?


  There is a neurological connection related to processing unpleasant emotions
• What are the key evaluation points of the cognitive approach?


  • Reductionism vs Holism
  • Validity issues
  • Applications of cognitive methods
  • Debates in cognitive psychology
• Who conducted the classic research on inattentional blindness?

  Daniel J. Simons and Christopher Chabris
• What was the aim of Simons & Chabris' experiment?


  To test how much individuals could be unaware of in their visual field
• What was the method used in the "Gorillas in our midst" experiment?


  • Observers watched films of basketball players
  • Teams wore white and black T-shirts
  • Observers tallied passes or throws
  • Two video types: transparent and opaque