5.3 The Cognitive Approach

• What does the cognitive approach in psychology study?

  Internal mental processes
• Information processing involves the transformation of sensory input into meaningful mental representations
• Schemas are cognitive frameworks that organize and interpret new information.
• What cognitive processes are involved when you see and recognize an apple?

  Perception, categorization, memory recall
• Internal mental processes influence how we perceive, learn, and interact with the world
• Match the internal mental process with its function and example:

  Perception ↔️ Interpreting sensory input

  Attention ↔️ Focusing on relevant information

  Memory ↔️ Encoding, storing, retrieving information

  Language ↔️ Understanding spoken or written communication

  Problem-solving ↔️ Identifying and resolving challenges
• What mental processes are used when deciding what to wear in the morning?

  Perception, memory, problem-solving
• The cognitive approach assumes that cognition mediates behavior
• What is the purpose of theoretical models in the cognitive approach?

  Describe and understand cognition
• Match the type of cognitive model with its description:

  Flow Diagrams ↔️ Represent processes as sequential steps

  Mathematical Models ↔️ Use equations to describe relationships

  Computer Simulations ↔️ Simulate cognitive functions
• Which theoretical model uses a flow diagram to explain memory processes?

  Multi-Store Memory Model
• The cognitive approach employs controlled experiments and empirical data
• What is one weakness of the cognitive approach in psychology?

  Reductionistic
• The cognitive approach overlooks the impact of emotions on cognition and behavior