Cognitive approach

• What is the cognitive approach?

  The study of how internal mental processes influences behaviour
• What are the three main assumptions of the cognitive approach?

  1. Internal mental processes can be studied scientifically (e.g. memory, perception & thinking)
  2. Mental processes are 'private' & cannot be observed directly
  3. Cognitive psychologists study mental processes indirectly by making inferences b/w behaviour & thinking
• What is internal mental processes?

  'Private' operations of the mind such as perception & attention that meditate between stimulus and response
• What is schema?

  A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing
• What is the purpose of schema?

  Enables us to process lots of information quickly as it serves as a mental shortcut, preventing us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
• How is schema developed?

  Through experience

  Babies are born with basic motor schema for innate behaviours (e.g. sucking, grasping etc.)

  Assimilation - when you add info to existing schema

  Accommodation - remodel our schema to allow for new information
• What are the potential negative impacts of schema?


  May distort our interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual errors
• What is inferences?


  Drawing conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour in a lab
• What models are used by cognitive psychologists?

  Theoretical and computer models
• What are theoretical models?


  Simplified representations of mental processes based on research evidence
• What is an example of theoretical models?

  Multi-store-model
• What are computer models?

  Computer analogies that represent human cognition, so the human mind works like a computer
• How do computer models work?

  Information is passed through the senses, encoded into memory & then combined w/ previously stored info to complete task
• What is cognitive neuroscience?

  The scientific study if those biological structures that underpin cognitive processes
• What are PET and FMRI scans?

  Shows brain activity while people are undergoing a particular task/ activity
• What is the purpose of PET and FMRI scans?

  Allow scientists to monitor the neurological basis of mental processes

  e.g. memory & mental disorders
• Outline the emergence of cognitive neuroscience

  Mid 19th century - damage to Broca's area (frontal lobe) could permanently impair speech production

  Tulving et al 1995 identified where the episodic and semantic memory where located

  Braver et al 1997 - location of the CE