The Cognitive Approach

• What does the cognitive approach study, unlike behaviourism?

  Internal mental processes
• Since internal mental processes cannot be directly observed, how do cognitive psychologists study them?

  They use inferences based on behaviour
• What are schemas in the context of the cognitive approach?

  Mental frameworks based on experience
• What is one benefit of using schemas?

  Prevents sensory overload by categorising information
• How do schemas help predict future outcomes?

  Based on past experiences
• How can schemas cause inaccurate recall, as in eyewitness testimony (EWT)?

  Due to leading questions
• What do negative schemas contribute to according to Beck's negative triad?

  Poor mental health
• What does the computer model compare human cognition to?

  A computer
• What is machine reductionism in the context of the computer model?

  Ignoring emotions and consciousness
• What do theoretical models use to represent mental processes?

  Flowcharts
• What is the purpose of using theoretical models in the cognitive approach?

  Allows testable hypotheses for scientific study
• What does cognitive neuroscience study?

  How neurological structures influence cognitive functions
• What tools does cognitive neuroscience use to identify active brain areas during cognitive tasks?

  Brain scans (PET, fMRI)
• What cognitive function is Broca's area associated with?

  Speech production
• What makes the cognitive approach scientific?

  Lab-based, controlled, high internal validity
• What is one practical application of the cognitive approach?

  CBT for depression
• How does the cognitive approach support soft determinism?

  Acknowledges both biology & environment
• What is a weakness of the cognitive approach related to its inference-based nature?

  Assumptions may be incorrect
• What is a weakness of the cognitive approach due to the use of artificial tasks in studies?

  Low ecological validity