The Cognitive Approach

• The cognitive approach suggests that all behaviour is preceded by a though and that though processes can and should be studied scientifically
• Main areas of study are:

  1. memory
  2. language
  3. problem solving
  4. perception
  5. attention
• We have to make inferences (assuming based on subjectivity) about a lot of these - drawing conclusions about internal processes based on behaviour we see
• Cognitive psychology involves 3 things:

  1. human experimental psychology - memory, attachment, problem-solving, language
  2. computer analogies: information processing approach - artificial intelligence, computer simulation
  3. cognitive neuroscience - brain damage and effect on cognition
• The computer analogy states that the individual is a processor of information. Suggests that the brain works in much the same way as a computer. Both perform same function of receiving, interpreting and responding to information
• Input of information - senses, sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste (code, search, type/ click a mouse)

  processing information - go to sleep - brain (loading page/ central processing unit)

  storing information - brain - long term memory (hard drives)

  retrieving information - think remember (search - from files/google)

  output - using the information - memory retrieved - speech (google - answer results page answers question)