Cognitive Approach

• Cognitive Approach


  • Argues that internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically
  • Studies memory, perception and thinking
  • Processes cannot be observed so psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences
  • Controlled experiments used to make inferences
• Schema


  • Packages of ideas, information and knowledge developed through experience
  • Act as a mental framework for the interpretation of incoming information
  • Help to react to things appropriately
  • Change as we get older - baby's schema are innate motor functions like grasping or sucking
  • Become more detailed and sophisticated as we get older
• Strength of having a schema


  • Enable us to process a lot of information quickly
  • Useful as a mental short cut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
• Limitation of having a schema

  • May distort our interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual errors (EWT)
• Information processing approach


  • Suggests that information flows in a sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval - seen in Multi Store Model of Memory
  • Based on the way a computer functions where the mind is compared to a computer
  • Uses concepts such as coding (to turn info into a useable format) and the use of 'stores' to hold information
  • Has been useful in the development of 'thinking machines' or artificial intelligence
• Cognitive Neuroscience


  • Investigates how cognition is produced by the interaction of neural mechanisms, chemistry and brain structure
  • New technology (fMRI and PET scans) allow researchers to explain the neurological basis of mental processes
  • Recently the expanded focus has included the use of computer generated models which are designed to read the brain, leading to mind mapping techniques
• Research within cognitive neurological

  • Tulving → showed that the different types of LTM may be located in opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex
  • Braver et al → stated the central executive was also located near the prefrontal cortex
  • Link between the parahippocampal gurus and OCD
  • Raine et al → highlighted the lack of prefrontal cortex activity in impulsive murderers via PET scans
• Machine reductionism criticism of Cognitive Neuroscience

  • Humans are complex and unpredictable and cannot be likened to an inanimate object
  • For example, the assumption that all our cognitions are a results of biological processes
  • This is a weakness because it can be criticised as too simplistic, failing to recognise that there are an array of factors that impact human behaviour and complex behaviours as those displayed by humans cannot be reduced down to one explanation
• Lack of validity criticism of Cognitive Neuroscience

  • Experimental reductionism may become a problem
  • Experiments are lab based so low ecological validity
  • For example, Baron-Cohen's study on autism took place in controlled conditions using a task with low mundane realism
  • This means that such findings do not reflect real cognitive processing
• Real world applications Evaluation(CA)


  • Most dominant approach in psychology and has made a substantial contribution to psychology and to our understanding of psychopathology and for treatment of psychological disorders
  • For example, modern types of therapy are based on the cognitive approach like CBT - used to treat anxiety and depression
  • Another example is Loftus and Palmer's study highlighting the limitations of EWT due to inaccurate cognition
• Machine Reductionism Evaluation

  • Humans are complex and unpredictable and cannot be likened to an inanimate object
  • Likening the human mind to a computer ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system and how this may affect our ability to process information
  • For example, research by Levines and Burgess found that emotions influence the accuracy of EWT
  • This suggests that machine reductionism may weaken the validity of the cognitive approach
• Scientific Methods Counterpoint

  • However as cognitive psychology relies on the inference of mental processes rather than direct observation of behaviour it can be said to be too abstract and theoretical in nature
  • Studies are also carried out using artificial stimuli that may not represent everyday experience, such as Jacob’s study into the capacity of STM
  • Therefore research on cognitive processes may lack external validity
• Scientific Methods Evaluation

  • Cognitive Approach uses objective, scientific methods
  • Uses mainly lab studies which are highly controlled so researchers are able to infer cognitive processes
  • Emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enables the two fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together and enhance the scientific basis of study
  • This means that the study of the mind has a credible scientific basis
• Real World Application

  • Uses objective, scientific methods (MRI scans) which increase reliability
  • Researchers can observe brain activity in real time providing insight into how the brain contributes to specific cognitive functions
  • This allows researchers to bridge the gap between psychological theories of cognition and the biological processes occurring in the brain, leading to a deeper understanding of human behaviour and cognition
  • This deeper understanding can be used to (for example) enhance mental health through personalised treatments based on brain activity as well as improve memory
• Cognitive Neuroscience Evaluations Acronym

  Really Lacking Machines
• Cognitive Approach Evaluations Acronym

  Really Scientific Machines
• Theoretical Models

  • Mental processes can be studied using the information processing approach which are simplified representations of cognitive processes based on research
  • Suggests that information flows through the cognitive system systematically which includes input, storage and retrieval (like the Multi Store Model of Memory)
• Computer Models

  • The Cognitive Approach also uses computer models which compares the mind to a computer
  • Suggesting there are similarities in the way that the information is processed
  • These models use the concepts such as coding (to turn info into a useable format) and the use of ‘stores’ to hold information
  • These models have been useful in the development of ‘thinking machines’ or artificial intelligence