cognitive approach

• • The human mind can be and should be investigated scientifically
  • Goal of cognitive psychology is to learn about mental processes that occur inside the brain and use them to explain how we behave
  • Internal mental processes (thoughts) are investigated experimentally under very strict conditions and controlled conditions - lab experiments
• • Cognitive psychologists have to make inferences about cognitive functioning because mental processes cannot be directly observed to make a basis on behaviour
• Schemas:

  Schemas are internal mental representations of our world. They can be described as cognitive frameworks and help interpret information received by the cognitive system

  • based on experience
• models are used by cognitive psychologists to explain unobservable processes in a concrete testable way
• the computer model:

  • mind is compared to a computer suggesting there are similarities in they way they process information
  • Input is processed by a central processor (brain) which is then encoded (turned into a usable format) stored (in memory) and both have an output (behaviour exerted)
  • Input (from environment via senses) -> process and storage (info encoded and processed using schema) -> output (observable behaviour)
• cognitive neuroscience:

  scientific study of influence of brain structure on mental processes

  brain scans allow for mental processing/disorders to have a neurological basis

  e.g semantic and episodic memory stored in opposite sides of prefrontal cortex
• evaluation summary:

  • scientific and objective methods used = lab studies to infer cognitive processes/brain scans
  • real world application = improving eye witness testimony/ CBT
  • explanation for mental disorders e.g depression
• scientific and objective methods used:

  • lab studies to make inferences of congitive processes= controlled and replicable, so the results are reliable
  • emergence of cognitive psychology come together to enhance scientific basis
  • scientific credibility increased
  • however, they lack ecological validity because of the artificiality of the tasks and environment, so they might not reflect everyday experience and inference can be too theoretical
• Real world application:

  • schemas can be used to explain how eyewitness memories of events can be distorted and, therefore, inaccurate.
  • The study of memory processes such as cue-dependent forgetting has led to a strategy to improve EWT: cognitive interview
  • adds value to approach
• offers explanation to depression:

  • Beck argues that it is the negative schemas we hold about the self, the world, and the future which lead to depression rather than external events
  • However, it does not take into account the genetic factors which seem to be involved in mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Furthermore, this approach has led to cognitive behavioral therapy, which is an effective way to deal with depression and, unlike drugs, has no side effects.
• soft determinsim:

  • The cognitive approach focuses on soft determinism where processes are affected by external and internal factors but we still have free will
  • Evidence for it is that the approach recognises that our cognitive system can only operate within the limits of what we know, but we are free to think before responding to a stimulus.
  • more flexible approach