cognitive approach

• basic assumptions:

  - thought processes can and should be studied scientifically

  - our mind works like a computer with input and output

  - stimulus and response are appropriate but only if thought processes in between are acklowledged.
• we can only study internal mental processes indirectly. an example would be questionnaires.
• schema is a collection of ideas and characteristics associated with something learned through experience and aids in retention and can predict the world around us.

  they are unique to everyone as they are based on individual experiences.
• theoretical and computer models can be used to explain and make inferences about mental processes and cognitive psychology advocates for the use of these models as they support a scientific approach
• • computer model - metallic/plastic, limited memory
  • mind - organic, unlimited memory
  • both - process information, input and output, memory
• 1. Input - comes from the environment
  2. Processing - information is processed eg schema
  3. Output - behavioural response
• cognitive neuroscience bridges the gap between cognitive science and neuroscience
• evaluation points of the cognitive approach:

  • reductionist
  • assumes humans work like computers
• Ellis' ABC model:

  • A - affective component - involves a person's feelings/emotions about the object (eg I am scared of spiders)
  • B - behavioral component - the way the attitude influences how we behave ( eg I will stay away from spiders)
  • C - cognitive component - a person's belief about an attitude or object (eg I believe spiders are dangerous)
• Ellis' ABC model - what does ABC stand for?

  A - affective component

  B - behavioral component

  C - cognitive component
• cognitive psychologists study them indirectly using inferences.
• mental processes are 'private' and cannot be observed
• Broadbent filter model

  humans can only process limited amounts of information at any given time due to an 'attentional bottleneck'