Cognitive Approach

• Assumptions

  The Cognitive Approach argues that internal mental processes can be studied scientifically. Therefore, they study areas which are neglected by Behaviourists- such as memory, perception and thinking. These processes are private, so cannot be observed. Cognitive psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences about what is happening in the mind from an individual's behaviour.
• Schema

  Cognitive processing can often be affected by a person's beliefs or expectations which are often referred to as schema. 'Packages' of ideas and information developed through experience. Acting as a mental framework for the interpretation of incoming information to the cognitive system; helping individuals to respond appropriately.
• Development of Schema

  Babies are born with a simple motor schema for innate behaviours like sucking and grasping. The grasping schema consists of moving a hand towards an object and shaping them to it with visual input. As we get older, schema become more detailed and sophisticated- adults have developed mental representations for everything (e.g. the concept of psychology, what happens in a restaurant).
• Purpose of Schema

  Schema enable us to process lots of information quickly, this is useful as the mental shortcut prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli. However, schema can distort our interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual errors (like song lyrics or repeating words in a sentence).
• Theoretical and Computer Models

  Cognitive psychologists use these two models to help them understand internal mental processes. There are overlaps between the two models, but theoretical models are abstract, but computer models are concrete things.
• Example of a Theoretical Model

  The information processing approach- suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in a series of stages (including storage, input and retrieval- the Multi-Store Model). This approach is based on the way computers function, but a computer model would involve programming a computer to see if such instructions produce a similar response to humans. If they do, we can infer that similar processes occur in the human mind. Computational models of the mind have proven useful in the development of artificial intelligence.
• Cognitive Neuroscience

  The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes. Mapping brain areas to specific cognitive functions can be seen from the 1860s when Broca identified that damage to Broca's Area in the frontal lobe could permanently impair speech production.
• The Emergence of Cognitive Neuroscience

  Only in the last 25-years, with advances in brain imaging techniques (fMRI, PET scans), that scientists have been able to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes. For example, Buckner and Peterson were able to show that episodic and semantic memory may be located on opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex. Braver et al found that the central executive in the WMM is meant to reside in a similar area.
• Further Applications of Cognitive Neuroscience

  Scanning techniques have proven useful in establishing the neurological basis of mental disorders- e.g. finding a link between the parahippocampal gyrus and OCD in the processing of unpleasant emotions. The focus has recently expanded to include computer-generated models that are designed to 'read' the brain. Leading to the development of mind-mapping techniques called 'brain fingerprinting'. A future application of this could be analysing brain wave patterns of eyewitnesses to determine whether they are lying in court.
• AO3: Scientific Methods

  A strength is its use of objective, scientific methods. They employ highly controlled and rigorous methods of study so researchers can infer cognitive processes at work. This has involved the use of lab studies to produce reliable and objective data. The emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled both biological and cognitive fields to combine and enhance the scientific basis of study. Meaning that the study of the mind has a credible scientific basis.
• AO3: Counterpoint to Scientific Methods

  As cognitive psychology relies on the inference of mental processes rather than direct observation of behaviour, it can occasionally suffer from being too abstract and theoretical in nature. Similarly, studies of mental processes are often carried out using artificial stimuli which may not represent everyday experience. Therefore, the cognitive approach may lack external validity.
• AO3: Real-World Application

  The cognitive approach is arguably the most dominant approach in psychology today and has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts. For example it has made contribution in the field of AI and the development of 'thinking machines' (robots). These advances revolutionise how we live in the future. Cognitive principles have been applied to the treatment of depression and has improved reliability of EWT. Supporting its value.
• AO3: Machine Reductionism

  The cognitive approach is based on machine reductionism. There are similarities between the human mind and the operations of computers. Though the computer analogy has been criticised; it ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system, and how this may affect our ability to process information. E.g. research has found that human memory may be affected by emotional factors, such as the influence of anxiety on EWT. This weakens the validity.
• AO3: Soft Determinism

  The cognitive approach is founded on soft determinism- the view that behaviour may be determined by internal and external factors but we can also exert our free will at times. Whereas the hard determinism view says all of our behaviour is determined by factors other than our will, such as genes and conditioning. This then makes the approach more flexible than that of the Biological or Behaviourist.