Cognitive Approach

• Cognitive Assumptions


  Believes internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically

  Brain is compared to computer

  Mental processes are private and can't be observed
• Inference


  Mental processes are inferred by drawing conclusions based on behaviour

  Must make assumptions about mental processes that can't be observed eg memory
• Schema


  Our mental framework of believes and expectations that influence cognitive processing

  Help us process lots of info quickly
• Broca's Area


  Part of brain which produces language
• Wernicke's Area


  Part of brain which processes language
• Cognitive Neuroscience


  The study of the influence of brain structure on mental processes
• Brain mapping


  Linking of brain areas to functions eg Broca/Wernicke (1800s), PET/MRI/CAT scans (modern)
• Evaluation: Cognitive Approach


  Scientific

  Practical applications eg CBT

  Machine reductionism - doesn't account for human emotion and complexity

  Artificial tests eg remembering word lists, reduces ecological validity