cognitive approach

• 🔷 key assumptions of cognitive approach

  • internal mental processes
  • schema
  • theoretical and computer models
  • cognitive neuroscience
• 🧠 internal mental processes

  how people acquire, process, store and retrieve information

  • perception
  • attention
  • memory
  • language

  can't be directly observed so make inferences based on behaviour
• 🖼️ role of schema

  mental frameworks of beliefs and expectations developed from experience

  • cognitive shortcuts
• how are schemas useful?🎉

  • help process information quickly
  • prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by stimuli
  • helps "fill in the blanks"
• how can schemas lead to distortion? 😵‍💫

  • biased recall
  • false memories
  • prejudice
• 🔃 theoretical models

  simplified, pictorial representations of mental processes

  • information flows through a cognitive system
• example of a theoretical model

  multi-store model
• 💻 computer models

  mind processes information similarly to a computer

  • input -> processing -> output
• 🔬 cognitive neuroscience

  biological basis of mental processes

  • fMRI
  • EEG
• applications of cognitive neuroscience

  • brain areas linked to language
  • memory functions
  • patterns in mental disorders
• ✅ strength of cognitive approach - objective

  use of scientific methods

  • controlled experiments and techniques like fMRI and EEG
  • approach is more reliable and replicable
  • increases the credibility
• ❌ limitation of cognitive approach - simple

  oversimplifies complex behaviour

  • computer analogy fails to account for emotional and social factors
  • ignores subjective factors
  • reductionist
• ✅ strength of cognitive approach - application

  practical applications

  • CBT relies on challenging negative thought patterns
  • development of AI
  • real-world relevance