Cognitive approach

• What is the cognitive approach?


  The study of internal mental processes made through inferences
• What are inferences?


  Assumptions made about internal processes based off of participant behaviour
• What are schemas?


  Collections of basic knowledge about a concept or object made from previous experience with the world
• What are schemas used for?


  To quickly understand and navigate the world and predict outcomes of events
• Schemas can?


  Allow us to process information quickly without being overwhelmed
• What are negatives of schemas?


  -Assumptions from schema can influence memory which leads to inaccurate recall

  -Negative schemas about oneself, the world or the future can lead to poor mental health
• What are the theoretical and computer models used for?


  To explain and make inferences about internal mental processes
• What is the computer model?


  An analogy between the operation of a computers CPU and the human brain
• What are negatives of the computer model?


  Criticised for being overly simplistic since it is argued that the human brain is for more complex than any computer and the human mind is capable of consciousness and emotions which leads to irrational behaviour
• What are theoretical models?


  flow chart representations of the steps of a mental process
• What is a positive of theoretical models?


  They generate testable hypotheses allowing each assumption to be scientifically tested
• What is cognitive neuroscience?


  the study of the living brain which gives us detailed information about brain structures and mental processing