cognitive

• assumptions (computer model)


  brain processes information like a computer :

  • central processing unit- brain
  • coding- turning information into useable format
  • stores- to hold different chunks of information
• cognitive approach 


  study of internal mental processes, the role of schema, the use of theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes
• cognitive psychologists study processes such as memory, indirectly by making inferences about what a going on inside people's minds on the basis of their bhevaiour
• cognitive- indirect (inferences)
• inference 


  process of drawing conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed evidence
• information processing model 


  input → processing → output
• information processing model 


  • input- from the environment via senses
  • processing- information encoded and processed using schema
  • output- observable behaviour
• computer model analogy 


  stimulus → thinking → response
• internal processes are private operations of the mind such a perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response
• people

  broca, wernicke, beck
• theories 


  computer model analogy, information processing model
• schema

  mental frameworks, collections of connected basic knowledge about a concept or an object built from previous experience with the world
• schema

  mental shortcuts- use quickly to understand and navigate/ interact with world, doesn't require much mental energy to decide how to respond
• schema

  basis of prejudice/ racism
• advantages of schema

  • processing environmental information - engage with world, without being overwhelmed by sensory information. don't need to consciously workout objects individually
  • predict the future - use past experiences to make assumptions for similar situations (often accurate as people act according to similar schemas)
• disadvantages 


  • inaccurate recall - schema assumptions can lead to influenced memory (eye witness testimonies)
  • negative schemas can lead to poor mental health - beck said that people with depression have faulty schemas which bias thinking about themselves, others and the future
• cognitive neuroscience 


  study of brain structure and mental processes
• advantages 


  • scientific - use of lab studies means it is highly controlled, standardised, so has high internal validity.
  • soft determinism - behaviour is party determined by biology and environment, experiences create schemas. thought processes - provide personal control over actions (free will) , CBT allows clients to play active role in recover which contrasts from the passive nature of drug treatments based solely on biological determinism
• • links between brain structure and internal processes - 'tan' has speech production issues, due to damage to broca's area. the direct observation using scientific and objective tools verifies broca's role in speech

  tulving used PET research - different brain activity patterns for LTM (semantic, episodic, procedural)

  • practical real world applicslations - cognitive therapy (cbt) can be used to change negative thought patterns, jury instructions have changed to avoid schema negatively impacting court cases, helps create treatments for language/ memory disorders
• weaknesses

  • cognitive approach is not considered scientific due to the use of inferences compared to behaviourists/ biological psychologists (who used directly observable behaviours/ mental processes)
  • computer model - machine reductionist (over simplistic). the human brain is more complex than a computer due to consciousness and emotions, which lead to irrational behaviour
• broca area 


  found damaged frontal lobe - permanently damage speech production
• werncike's area

  speech comprehension
• wernicke's area

  left posterior superior temporal gyrus.
• broca + wernicke

  
• cognitive approach in real life 


  • understand and treat mental illnesses (cbt)
  • prevent road traffic accidents
  • increase supermarket sales
• determinist 


  removes free will
• ignores individual experiences
• people are influenced by outside behaviours and their own brain structure (deterministic) but can impose reasoning on their thinking (free will).
• the cognitive approach ignores the role of individual experience because it focuses on how people process information rather than their unique backgrounds and perspectives.
• the cognitive approach has been criticized for being too simplistic and ignoring other factors like emotions, social context, and cultural influences.