cognitive approach

• The cognitive approach focuses on how our mental processes (e.g. thoughts, perception, attention) effect behaviour

  Assumptions:

  • Internal mental processes should be studied scientifically
  • the mind actively processes information from our senses (touch, taste etc.).
  • The workings of a computer and the human mind are alike
  • Cognitive processes can not be observed so we study them indirectly by making inferences about the mind based on behaviour
• Inferring is the process whereby cognitive psychologists draw conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour.
• The key aspects of the cognitive approach:

  • The role of schemas
  • The role of theoretical and computer models
  • The emergence of cognitive neuroscience
• Schemas are a mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing. They are developed from experience

  • They help is to take shortcuts in out thinking
  • Born with basic ones which develop from experiences
  • Can lead to faulty conclusions and unhelpful behaviour
• The cognitive approach suggests that we can study internal processes through the use of models

  • Theoretical models
  • Computer models
• Theoretical model use the information processing approach which suggests that information flows through a sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval.

  
• Computer model

  • Computer analogy – suggests similarities in how computers and human minds process info
  • E.g. the use of the central processor (the brain) to change information into a useable code and the use of ‘stores’ to hold information
• Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of biological structures that underpin mental processes
• We can use scanning techniques to:

  • locate different areas in the brain for different types of memory
  • Study mental processing in patients with depression/autism/OCD etc.
  • Use of computer modelling to test theories/hypotheses about mental processes
• strength -

  The cognitive approach uses scientific and objective measures which are highly controlled. Cognitive neuroscience, is particularly scientific.

  The study of the mind has established a credible scientific basis
• weakness -

  Although there are similarities between the mind and a computer, human emotion and motivation are not considered within the computer analogy.

  The cognitive approach oversimplifies human cognitive processing and ignores important aspects the influence performance, making it machine reductionist.
• weakness -

  Cognitive psychologists are only able to infer mental processes for they behaviour they can observe and research often uses artificial stimuli e.g. recalling word lists.

  Research into cognitive processes may lack external validity.
• strength -

  The cognitive approach is dominant in psychology today and has been applied to a wide range of contexts e.g. making contributions to the field of AI.

  These exciting advances, supported by cognitive psychology, are likely to revolutionise how we live in the future.