cognitive

• What are the basic assumptions of the cognitive approach?

  • The mind actively processes information from our senses
  • Between stimulus and response are complex mental processes that can be studied scientifically
  • Humans can be seen as data-processing systems
  • The workings of a computer and the human mind are alike - encode + store info and have outputs
• What is the definition of an inference?

  process of drawing conclusions about general patterns of behaviour from specific observations
• What is the definition of a schema?

  a cognitive framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information
• What are the positives of a schema?

  • Increases memory - organize current knowledge
  • Help development
• What are the negatives of a schema?

  • Contributes to stereotypes
  • Dysfunction leads to emotions such as shame, anger and sadness
• Outline Bartlett's War of the Ghosts experiment

  The experimenter tells 20 students a Native American ghost story with unusual features and asks them to recall on random occasions

  Results:

  • Shortened story
  • Fabricated details
  • Rationalized
• What are the weakness' of the Bartlett War of the Ghosts experiment

  • Doesn't use experimental controls - asked to recall on random occasions
  • Subjective to experimenter's opinion
  • Low ecological validity
• How does Bartlett's War of Ghosts experiment support schemas?

  Highlights how peoples organise memories to rationalise what is stored and interpret it in a way that is understandable even if there are fabricated details
• What are the differences between theoretical and computer models?

  Theoretical models are diagrammatic representation of steps in internal mental processes whereas computer models are software simulations of internal mental processes
• What is the definition of internal mental processes?

  information received from our senses is processed by the brain and how we process it affects how we behave
• What are the 5 mental processes?

  • Perception - process by which we take in + make sense of info
  • Attention - process by which we focus on particular source of info
  • Memory - process by which we retain + recall info
  • Language - use of mental symbols to represent info to help communicate
  • Thinking - process by which we manipulate info in mind to reason, solve problems and make decisions
• What is the definition of inattention?

  an internal mental process which explains why we miss out on details
• What is the definition of the theoretical model (and example)?

  An abstract model that states something works that way

  • information-processing model
• What is the definition of a computer model (and example)?

  concrete programs of inputting and outputting

  • the enigma encoder
• What is the definition of cognitive neuroscience?

  study of the living brain and biological structures that underpin cognitive processes and form our behaviour
• How does cognitive neuroscience work?

  the use of non-invasive neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI helps psychologists understand how the brain supports different cognitive activities and emotions by showing what parts of the brain became active in specific circumstances
• Outline some findings of cognitive neuroscience

  Tulving et al. - found episodic and semantic memories in the prefrontal cortex (prefrontal cortex = memory + response)

  Burnett et al. - found that when people feel guilty, several brain regions are active including the prefrontal cortex (related to social emotions)
• What is in the future of cognitive neuroscience?

  • Brain mapping - measures brain waves of the subject when experiencing a stimulus previously experienced

  This means criminals will be found to have a memory of the accused stimuli
• What are the strengths of cognitive approach/neuroscience?

  • Real-life application - AI
  • Credibility - uses experimental methods
• What are the weaknesses of the cognitive approach/neuroscience?

  • Machine reductionism - ignores the influence of human emotion + motivation by comparing to computers (decreases validity)
  • Lacks external validity - too abstract + theoretical through the use of artificial stimuli that may not represent everyday experience