Psychology A-level - Approaches

• What is the cognitive approach in psychology primarily concerned with?

  It focuses on understanding mental processes such as thinking, memory, and perception.
• Why do students find the cognitive approach intimidating?

  Because it involves complex concepts and theoretical models.
• How has the cognitive model evolved in recent years?

  It has integrated neuroscience, leading to a controversial merging of cognitive psychology and biological perspectives.
• What are the key concepts of the cognitive model?

  • The mind is likened to a computer.
  • It is an information processing model.
  • It attempts to analyze behavior through thinking.
  • It has evolved from being aligned with behavioral models to biological models.
• What is the Arkinson-Shiffrin model of memory also known as?

  It is known as the multi-store model.
• What does the multi-store model describe?

  It describes memory as a process involving sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
• How can schemas be defined in the context of cognitive psychology?

  Schemas are mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information.
• What is an example of how schemas can lead to incorrect assumptions?

  If someone sees a man running after a bus, they might assume he missed it, but he could be chasing a dog instead.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the cognitive approach?

  Strengths:

  • Scientific and testable.
  • Models can be replicated in controlled environments.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lacks ecological validity.
  • Lab tasks may not reflect real-life memory processes.
• What is a significant criticism of the cognitive approach regarding ecological validity?

  It lacks ecological validity because lab tests do not accurately reflect real-life situations.
• How has cognitive neuroscience impacted the cognitive approach?

  It has merged cognitive psychology with brain structure studies, allowing for observation of cognitive tasks in real-time.
• What are some examples of brain areas linked to specific types of memory?

  The prefrontal cortex is linked to episodic memory, while the parahippocampal gyrus is associated with semantic memory.
• Why is the working memory model significant in cognitive psychology?

  It is highly testable and has been extensively studied in laboratory settings.
• What is the importance of scientific evidence in the cognitive approach?

  It provides a basis for testing and validating cognitive theories through controlled experiments.
• How do lab experiments affect the validity of cognitive theories?

  Lab experiments may lack ecological validity, making it difficult to generalize findings to real-world situations.
• What is the relationship between cognitive psychology and real-life applications?

  Cognitive psychology theories may not easily apply to real-life situations due to their lab-based origins.
• Why is ecological validity a concern in laboratory memory studies?

  Because lab studies may not reflect real-life memory experiences.
• What is an example of a task that may not reflect real-life memory?

  Eyewitness testimony experiments.
• How do lab studies affect the applicability of memory theories?

  They limit the theories' applicability to real-life situations.
• What is the relationship between neuroscience and the biological model of memory?

  Neuroscience expands the biological model into new territory.
• What potential does neuroscience have in real-life applications?

  It may help people with memory deficits.
• What is a major criticism of merging the mind and brain in neuroscience?

  It may obscure our understanding of consciousness.
• Why is consciousness considered a mystery in psychology and science?

  Because we do not fully understand its nature or function.
• What is the controversy surrounding the merging of the mind and brain in cognitive neuroscience?

  Some psychologists believe it risks losing sight of consciousness.
• How does personal experience with brain trauma support the distinction between mind and brain?

  It shows that mental clarity can exist despite brain dysfunction.
• What is the title of the book written by a scientist who experienced brain trauma?

  The Ghost in the Brain.
• How do schemas affect eyewitness testimony?

  They can lead to significant errors in recall.
• What is the cognitive interview and its significance in eyewitness testimony?

  • A technique based on cognitive psychology principles
  • Aims to improve the accuracy of eyewitness accounts
  • Utilizes research on schemas to minimize errors
• What is a major downside of reductionism in neuroscience?

  It oversimplifies complex behaviors to a single cause.
• How has the reductionist approach changed with the integration of neuroscience?

  It has become more focused on biological explanations for behavior.
• What is the risk of focusing solely on the brain in psychological research?

  We may lose sight of the broader understanding of the mind.