assumption 1: mentalprocesses of the mind should be studied scientifically by making inferences
assumption 2: the mind works like a computer
assumption 3: models should be used to demonstrate the function of mental processes
internal mental processes is where the information received from our senses is processed by the brain and how we process it affects how we behave
internal mental processes include: perception, attention, memory, language, and thinking
an inference is the act of drawing conclusions based on evidence and using reasoning to assume how something is working
a schema is the mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing
schemas are developed from experience
babies are born with simple motor schemas for innate behaviours such as sucking and grasping
models are used to provide testable theories about mental processing
cognition and biological processes can be integrated leading to cognitive neuroscience as a way of understanding human behaviour
cognitive psychologists use both theoretical and computer models to help them understand internal mental processes
theoretical models are flow charts to show how information flows and is processed, for example the WMM
the cognitive approach suggests that the brain can be viewed as similar to a computer as they both have inputs and outputs, this is called the computer model
emergence of cognitive neuroscience: the development of new brain scanning techniques such as fMRI have allowed thought processes to be linked to patterns of activity in the brain
the emergence of cognitive neuroscience - credible scientific basis
HOWEVER - relies on the inference of mental processes, often carried out using artificial stimuli which may not represent everyday experience - lacks external validity
AO3: practical application - important contributions to the field of AI - supports the value of the cognitive approach
AO3: based on machine reductionism - similarities between the human mind and computers
ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system - human memory may be impacted by emotional factors (anxiety on EWT)
weaken validity of cognitive approach
AO3: soft determinism
cognitive neuroscience
the study of cognitive functions and map the function to areas of the brain
cognitive neuroscience examples…
fMRI, PET scans
cognitive neuroscience studies
raine et al - lack of activity in the PFC and links to offending behaviour found using PET scans