cognitive approach

    Cards (14)

    • outline the cognitive approach
      an approach focused on how our mental processes affect behaviour
    • what is meant by internal mental processes?
      'private' operations of the mind (eg. perception, attention) that mediate between stimulus and response --> conscious and unconscious thoughts
    • how are internal mental processes studied in the cognitive approach?
      indirectly through inference as they can't be studied directly
    • what is the 'schema'
      mental framework of beliefs and expectations developed from experience
      --> work as mental shortcuts to quickly understand the world, meaning it doesn't take too much mental energy to decide how to respond to situations
    • explain 2 advantages of the schema
      allow us to process the world without being overloaded with sensory information meaning we don't have to consciously work out what each object is

      allow us to predict the future - as schemas are based on previous experiences they allow us to make assumptions about what objects and people will do in similar situations
    • explain 2 disadvantages of the schema
      leads to inaccurate recall - assumptions due to the schema can influence memory, eg. in EWT leading questions can alter recall

      negative schemas can lead to poor mental health - Beck argued that those with depression have negative schemas that bias their thinking about themselves, others and the future
    • what do psychologists use to explain and make inferences about internal mental processes?
      theoretical and computer models
    • explain the use of theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes
      by assuming the mind operates similarly to a computer, cognitive psychologists are guided in their interpretation of participants' behaviour
    • explain the computer model as an explanation of mental processes
      . comparing the mind to a computer
      . by assuming the mind operates similarly to a computer, cognitive psychologists are able to make inferences about internal mental activities based on observable behaviours
      --> comparison suggests both systems:
      - receive inputs
      - generate outputs
      - have CPUs
      - have stores to hold information
    • explain the theoretical model as an explanation of mental processes
      abstract flow charts explaining how mental processes work
      --> helps psychologists create predictions about mental processes
      example - multi - story memory model
    • what is cognitive neuroscience?
      the scientific study of the influence of neurological and chemical processes on internal mental processes
    • how do psychologists study brain structures?
      brain scanning techniques - fMRI, EEG
    • name one strength of the cognitive approach
      USES SCIENTIFIC, OBJECTIVE METHODS:
      - cognitive scientist use highly controlled methods of study
      - the use of lab studies produces reliable, objective data
      --> means the study of the mind has a credible scientific basis
    • name one limitation of the cognitive approach
      MACHINE REDUCTIONISM:
      - comparing the human mind ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system
      --> suggests that machine reductionism may reduce the validity of the cognitive approach
      RELIES ON INFERENCES:
      - mental processes can't be directly observed therefore conclusions are based on subjective inferences
      - leads to lower internal validity
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