Cognitive Approach

• what are the assumptions of the cognitive approach?

  • behaviour is explained through internal processes,
  • conscious thought can influence behaviour,
  • humans think like computers,
  • models can be used
• what do theoretical models aim to provide in the cognitive approach?


  simplified, objective representations and descriptions of mental processes
• what is a schema?


  a mental structure containing knowledge based on experience
• what are the pros of schemas?

  • help organise and process new or large amounts of information,
  • helps prevent becoming overwhelmed
• what are the cons of schemas?

  • can lead to prejudice based on stereotypes,
  • will pay more attention to information that fits schema,
  • may misremember information if it doesn't fit schema
• how can schemas help with depression?

  can help to change the negative views of the depressed person
• why are computer models used in the cognitive approach?


  to compare the mind to computers
• how do computer models help computer science?

  they allow Ai to use cognitive processes
• what does machine reductionism mean?


  reducing the complexity of the brain to the coding of a machine