Cognitive Approach

• What is the cognitive approach primarily concerned with?

  The study of internal mental processes
• What role do schemas play in the cognitive approach?

  Schemas help organize and interpret information
• What are computational models in the cognitive approach?

  When theoretical models are programmed into a computer
• What is the Turing Test used for?

  To determine if a computer can mimic human conversation
• What does the multi-store model represent in the cognitive approach?

  It is a simplified representation based on evidence
• How does the cognitive approach use computer models?

  It compares the mind to a computer using concepts like CPU and coding
• What is the function of the central processing unit in the cognitive approach analogy?


  It represents the brain
• What is the purpose of encoding in the cognitive approach?

  To turn information into a usable format
• What do MRIs use to create an image of the brain?

  Magnetic fields and radio waves
• What do PET scans highlight in the brain?


  Which areas of the brain are active
• How do EEGs function in cognitive neuroscience?


  They sense and record electrical activity in the brain
• What are the strengths of cognitive neuroscience?

  • Uses objective, scientific methods
  • Provides reliable and empirical basis for understanding cognition
  • Increases scientific credibility of the approach
• What are the applications of cognitive neuroscience?

  • Understanding mental health conditions
  • Improving treatments for neurological disorders
  • Aiding in cognitive therapy development
• What is a limitation of neuroimaging techniques like fMRI and PET scans?

  They are expensive and not widely accessible
• What did Smith et al (1996) find regarding verbal and visual STM?

  They are processed in different areas of the brain
• What is the focus of Maguire et al (2006) research?

  To understand the relationship between brain structure and behavior
• What does cognitive neuroscience aim to study?

  The relationship between the brain and mental processes
• What is introspection?

  Introspection is the examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings.
• What is one similarity between the human mind and a computer?

  Both process information.
• What is one difference between the human mind and a computer?

  The human mind can experience emotions, while a computer cannot.
• What is meant by cognitive neuroscience?

  It is the scientific study of the brain using scanning technologies.
• Give an example of a study that showed evidence for how schemas can affect memory.

  One example is the study by Brewer and Treyens (1981) on memory recall in an office setting.
• What are independent and dependent variables?

  Independent variables are manipulated, while dependent variables are measured in an experiment.
• What does the cognitive approach study?

  • Internal mental processes
  • The role of schemas
  • The use of theoretical and computer models
  • The emergence of cognitive neuroscience
• What is a strength of the cognitive approach regarding control in research?

  The cognitive approach employs high levels of control when investigating cognitive processes.
• How has cognitive neuroscience impacted research?

  It has enabled biology and cognitive psychology to come together in research.
• How can the cognitive approach be applied to psychopathology?

  It can explain the causes of depression and OCD.
• Why was Wundt's work regarded as unreliable?

  Wundt's work was considered unreliable due to the subjective nature of introspection.
• What is a weakness of the cognitive approach regarding research tasks?

  Much of the research uses artificial tasks, which can be criticized for lacking ecological validity.
• What are extraneous variables?

  Extraneous variables are factors other than the independent variable that can affect the dependent variable.
• What criticism is made about the computer analogy in the cognitive approach?

  It ignores the influence of human emotions and motivation on the cognitive system.
• How can extraneous variables affect the dependent variable?

  They can introduce bias and confound the results of an experiment.
• What is soft determinism in the cognitive approach?

  It acknowledges that our cognitions operate within limits but allows for free thought before responding to stimuli.
• What does the term "Cognitive" refer to?

  The term "Cognitive" refers to mental processes.
• What are three words associated with the term "Cognitive"?

  • Thoughts
  • Perceptions
  • Attention
• What is the focus of the cognitive approach?

  The cognitive approach focuses on how mental processes affect behavior.
• What should be studied scientifically according to the cognitive approach?

  Internal mental processes should be studied scientifically.
• What is one feature of the cognitive approach?

  It studies internal mental processes.
• What is one limitation of the cognitive approach?

  A lot of research is done with lab experiments which lack ecological validity.
• Why does the cognitive approach make inferences about mental processes?

  Because mental processes are private and cannot be directly observed.