Cognitive

• Cognitive Approach -

  • Internal mental processes (memory, perception & thinking) can and should be studied scientifically.
  • Look at these processes to understand behaviour but cannot observe internal functions of the brain directly so indirectly inferences can be made to understand behaviour.
  • Inferences = logical conclusion reached on the basis of evidence a.k.a an educated assumptions.
• Schemas = 'package' of beliefs and expectations of a topic from prior experience. Cognitive framework to organise and interpret information and it helps you respond to the object/situation appropriately.

  ~ strengths

  • mental shortcut, helps us understand new information using pre-existing information

  ~limitations

  • distortion due to pre-existing schemas.. may lead to mental health issues especially with a negative self schema.
• Theoretical & Computer Models = simplified representations based on current research evidence. May be done in picture form, boxes and arrows which demonstrate the flow, direction and stages.

  Information-processing models = mind is a computer (metaphor) as info incoming is encoded (by the senses) manipulates mentally (storage decision) and consequently directs a output (e.g. behaviour such as emotion).

  Encoding -> information manipulation -> output

  Sensory -> mental processes -> emotion
• Emergence of cognitive neuroscience -

  Scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes such as memory, perception and thinking. There were advancements made in techniques used such as brain imaging techniques e.g. fMRI scans, EEGs and ERPs. Scientists have been able to observe and describe a neurological basic of mental processes.
• The Rat-man - Bugelski and Alampay (1962)

  2 conditions with 2 seperate groups of pps. Pps were shown a sequence of pictures which either had pictures of faces or different animals. Then they were shown an ambiguous 'rat-man'. Those pps who saw faces were more likely to perceive the rat-man as a man and those who saw animals were more likely to perceive the image as a rat.

  Supports the role of schemas as they help us interpret information and come from prior experiences and we find a link & associate.
• AO3 -

  • RLA - helped explain behaviour e.g depression and sz can be traced back to faulty thoughts, negative self-schemas and irrational thinking. Also developed treatment from this understand such as CBT, improves the patients quality of life.
  • Less deterministic as we have free-will to think of how we respond to a stimulus rather that being completely controlled by the environment. Strives to be scientific but does take other factors into account - soft determinism.
• • Scientific method used in many memory studies, high control, replicability. Cognitive neuroscience uses empirical equipment which enables scientific credibility.
  • Machine reductionism by labelling the mind as a computer, doesn't account for emotions such as anxiety and how processes like memory can be affected by anxiety.
  • Concepts such as inferences are subjective and discredit the scientific credibility of the cognitive approach.
  • Most studies lack ecological validity due to them being lab studies, the tasks often lack mundane realism so may not be adequately explaining real-life memory.
• Why schemas are useful? -

  • schema help us predict what will happen in our world based on our experiences
  • schema enable us to process vast amounts of information rapidly
  • schema prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.
• Why schema's are not useful?

  • schema can distort our interpretation of sensory information
  • schema lead to perceptual errors or inaccurate EWT/memories
  • schema can cause biased recall/see what we expect
  • negative/faulty schema may have a negative impact on mental health