The Cognitive Approach

• What does the Cognitive Approach focus on?

  Internal mental processes
• How do cognitive psychologists understand internal mental processes?

  By using theoretical and computer models
• What are theoretical models in cognitive psychology?

  • Abstract diagrams
  • Represent steps in mental processes
• What does the Information Processing Approach suggest?

  Information flows through cognitive stages
• What are computer models in cognitive psychology?

  • Programming computers to simulate human output
  • Suggests similar processes in the human mind
• What is a schema?

  A mental framework for processing information
• How do schemas help the brain?

  They facilitate quick information processing
• What do schemas allow us to predict?

  What may happen based on past experiences
• Are schemas unique to individuals?

  Yes, based on personal experiences
• How does culture affect schemas?

  It shapes individual experiences
• What is cognitive neuroscience?

  The study of brain structures' influence on mental processes
• What has a long history in psychology?

  Mapping brain areas to cognitive functions
• What has advanced technology allowed in cognitive neuroscience?

  More detailed measurement of mental processes
• What are the real-world applications of the cognitive approach?

  • Applied in AI and robot development
  • Used in treating depression
• What is a strength of the cognitive approach regarding scientific methods?

  It employs controlled and rigorous study methods
• What type of data do cognitive psychologists produce?

  Reliable and objective data
• How has cognitive neuroscience enhanced psychology?

  By merging biology and cognitive psychology
• What is a limitation of cognitive psychology regarding external validity?

  It can be too abstract and theoretical
• Why might cognitive research lack external validity?

  It often uses artificial stimuli
• What is machine reductionism in cognitive psychology?

  Comparing human mind to computer operations
• What is a criticism of the computer analogy in cognitive psychology?

  It ignores human emotion and motivation
• How does machine reductionism affect the cognitive approach's validity?

  It may weaken the validity of the approach
• What is a strength for the Cognitive approach?

  • Real World Application
  • Cognitive approach has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts
  • Cognitive psychology has made an important contribution in the field of AI and the development of robots, as well as cognitive principles have also been applied to the treatment of depression
  • This supports the value of the cognitive approach
• What is a strength for the Cognitive approach?

  • Scientific Methods
  • Cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled and rigorous methods of study, so researchers are able to infer cognitive processes at work
  • This has involved the use of lab studies to produce reliable, objective data, as well as the emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled the fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together to enhance the scientific basis of study
  • This means that the study of the mind has credible scientific basis
• What is a limitation for the Cognitive approach?

  • External Validity
  • As cognitive psychology relies on the inference of mental processes, rather than direct observation of behaviour, it can occasionally suffer from being too abstract and theoretical in nature
  • Similarly, research studies of mental processes are often carried out using artificial stimuli that may not represent everyday experience
  • Therefore, research on cognitive processes may lack external validity
• What is a limitation for the Cognitive approach?

  • Machine Reductionism
  • There are similarities between the human mind and the operations of computers, however the computer analogy has been criticised
  • Machine reductionism ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system and how this may affect our ability to process information
  • This suggests that machine reductionism may weaken the validity of the cognitive approach