AO1 Cognitive Approach

• How is the cognitive approach different from the behaviourist approach?

  Cognitive approach argues that internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically. As a result, the cognitive approach has investigated those areas of human behaviour that were neglected by behaviourists, such as memory, perception and thinking
• What do cognitive psychologists use to better understand and model cognitive processes?

  Computer models and theoretical models and through the use of analogies
• One important theoretical model is the information processing approach, which suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval, as in the multi-store model
• Computational models of the mind have proved useful in the development of ‘thinking machines’ or artificial intelligence.
• What is a schema?

  A schema is a cognitive framework or mental structure that helps organize and interpret information. They can be considered ‘packages’ of ideas and knowledge abut a certain person, place, object or time
• As schemas are preconceived, what can they lead to?


  Distortion of interpretations, leading to perceptual errors
• What is cognitive neuroscience?

  The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes.