Cognitive approach + neuroscience

• What does the cognitive approach contrast with?

  The behaviourist approach - cog focuses on internal process, behav focuses on observable, measurable behaviour
• What does the cognitive approach argue about internal mental processes?

  They can be studied scientifically
• Which areas does cognitive psychology investigate?

  Memory, perception, and thinking
• Why are cognitive processes considered private?

  They cannot be directly observed
• How do cognitive psychologists study mental processes?

  They study them indirectly and make inferences based on behavior
• What metaphor is commonly used to describe the mind in cognitive psychology?

  The mind is compared to a computer
• What does the information processing approach suggest?


  Information flows through the cognitive system in stages
• What are the stages of the information processing model?

  1. Input from environment via senses
  2. Processing: information is encoded and processed via schema
  3. Output: observable behavior
• What was the main finding of the Rat-man Study (1962) by Bulgeski and Alampay?


  Participants used their schema to interpret the illustration
• What is a schema?

  A mental framework for interpreting incoming information
• How does the size of a schema relate to experiences?

  Older individuals have larger schemas due to more experiences
• What are the benefits and downfalls of schemas?

  Benefits:

  • Quick information processing
  • Protects from overwhelming stimuli

  
  

  Downfalls:

  • May distort interpretation
  • Can lead to stereotypes and misconceptions
  • The Halo Effect influences judgments
• What is the Halo Effect?


  When a positive impression of something influences judgments of other traits
• What types of models do cognitive psychologists use?


  Theoretical and computer models
• What is the difference between theoretical and computer models?


  Theoretical models are abstract, while computer models are concrete
• How do computational models contribute to the real world?

  They help in the development of artificial intelligence
• Who identified the link between brain damage and speech impairment?


  Paul Broca
• What advancements have been made in cognitive neuroscience in the last 25 years?


  Advances in brain imaging techniques like fMRI and PET scans
• How have scanning techniques contributed to understanding mental disorders?


  They have helped establish the neurological basis of some mental disorders
• What is 'brain fingerprinting'?


  Mind-mapping techniques to analyze brain patterns of eyewitnesses
• What are the advantages of the cognitive approach?


  • Uses controlled, scientific methods
  • Produces reliable data from objective lab studies
  • Merges biology and cognitive psychology
  • Practical applications in AI and treatment of disorders
• What are the disadvantages of the cognitive approach?


  • Relies on inference instead of direct observation
  • Uses artificial stimuli lacking external validity
  • Machine reductionist, ignoring emotions and social factors
  • Soft determinist, viewing behavior as determined but allowing for free will
• What do computer models consist of?

  Computer models use the concepts of a CPU (brain), coding (turns info into useful concepts), stores (holds info)
• What is cognitive neuroscience?


  Scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes
• What is one advantage of the cognitive approach?


  It uses controlled, scientific methods.
• How does the cognitive approach produce reliable data?


  By using objective lab studies.
• What impact has the cognitive approach had on the fields of biology and psychology?


  It has allowed them to merge and enhance the scientific basis of study.
• What are some practical applications of the cognitive approach?


  • Contributions to AI and robotics
  • Potential revolution in future living
  • Treatment of depression
  • Improvement in reliability of eyewitness testimony
• What is a disadvantage of the cognitive approach related to observation?


  It relies on inference instead of observation.
• Why might research studies in the cognitive approach lack external validity?

  Because they often use artificial stimuli that may not represent everyday experiences.
• What does it mean that the cognitive approach is machine reductionist?

  It likens human behavior to a machine and ignores human emotions and social factors.
• How can emotional factors affect human memory according to the cognitive approach?


  Research has found that emotional factors, like anxiety, can influence eyewitnesses.
• What does it mean for the cognitive approach to be soft determinist?


  It views human behavior as determined by internal and external factors, but allows for some free will.