Assumptions

• What are the assumptions of the cognitive approach?

  Behaviour can be explained by internal mental processes.

  Behaviour can be explained by schemas.

  Behaviour can be explained using the computer analogy.
• Behaviour can be explained by internal mental processes

  Attention

  Memory

  Perception - interpretation of event based on past experience

  Language

  Eg: we use internal mental processes when faced with visual illusions.
• Schemas


  Schemas are mental structures that represent an aspect of the world, such as an object or event.

  They are built up through experience and stored in our long term memory.

  They set up expectations for social contexts.
• Allport & Postman (1947)


  Investigated the effect of schemas on recall.

  A group of white participants were shown a picture of an argument between a well-dressed black man and a poorly dressed white man holding a razor.

  P’s passed the story to each other through serial reproduction.

  After a few retellings the picture changed so the black man was the aggressor.

  This showed schemas are influenced by cultural stereotypes & distort our memory.
• Computer analogy

  Multi-store model of memory:

  Sensory memory —- attention —-> short term memory —- rehearsal / retrieval —-> long term memory

  Input (info from senses) -> process -> output (recall information)