info

• 3 key assumptions of the cognitive approach

  • focus on mental internal processes (thinking, perception, attention)
  • processes can be studied indirectly based on behaviour observations
  • the mind is alike to a computer (computer analogy)
• cognitive psychologists focus on studying what is happening inside he mind, however this cannot be done directly.

  • so they use logic and observation to draw a conclusion
  • for example if someone makes a face whilst eating food, we can infer that they dont like the food
• mental processes that psychologists can make inferences about

  • T.A.M.P.L
  • thinking
  • attention
  • memory
  • perception
  • language
• schemas are mental processes which influence our behaviour
• what is a schema:

  • a scheme is a mental representation of something in the world
  • they provide mental shortcuts, as they allow us to make predictions about what to expect
  • play a role in memory and help us to 'fill in the gap'
• schemas can lead to perceptual error and false memories

  they can also lead to inaccurate stereotypes about people
• a theoretical model is a representation of how information processing works.

  • a lot of theoretical models are computer models, because lots of cognitive psychologists use the computer analogy.
• the computer analogy states that the mind is similar to a computer.
• cognitive neuroscience is the study of what is happening inside the mind and it considers the cognitive and biological approach.

  • it emerged in the 20th century with the development of brain scanning
• cognitive neuroscience uses neuro-imaging techniques such as PET and fMRI scans

  • they provide an active image of what areas of the brain are being used during mental processes
• episodic memories are experiences and personal things
• semantic memory is facts and common knowledge
• procedural memory is how to do things (ride a bike)