Behaviour is influences by conscious and non-conscious internal mental processes
We form schema based on experience that shape the way perceive and interpret the world around us
Behaviour is impacted by the processing that occurs between influence and response
The computer model
humans are information processors, and as such functions can be modelled in a way that resembles computers
machine reductionism
Is it a scientific method?
Mentalprocesses can be inferred from observablebehaviours
Psychology is a science and should use experimental methods such as lab tests
Free will?
Humans are constrained by the way they store and interpret information but can make consciouschoices from alternatives
Soft determinism
Real world application (strength)
CBT- understanding depression
Reductionist (weakness)
Machine reductionist
Oversimplifies some things, ignores human emotion and conscience when it comes to processing information and making decisions (e.g. human emotions affecting EWT)
Scientific (strength)
Mundane realism- very scientific and therefore not always generalisable to real life
Enables objectivity, control of extraneous variable and experimental manipulation of the IV
