Study of internal mental processes

• > The cognitive approach argues that internal mental processes can be studied scientifically by investigating memory, perception and thinking

  > It believes that we actively process and organise information we receive rather then respond passively to our environment
• > Cognitive psychologists suggest that our internal mental processes are 'private' and cannot be observed, so are studied indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside the mind (mental processes) based on an individuals behaviour
• Inferences

  > The process where cognitive psychologists go beyond the immediate evidence to draw logical assumptions about how internal mental processes can drive our behaviour

  > Based on behaviour, but not directly inferred

  > This can be from the use of experimental procedures