Cognitive approach

• Main ideas


  Believes that internal mental processes (such as perception and memory) should be studied scientifically.

  
  

  Thoughts can't be directly observed so cognitive psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences on the basis of observing people's behaviour and reaction to stimuli.
• Theoretical models


  A simplified mode to represent a particular mental process.

  - for example the MSM / WMM

  
  

  They guide researchers to refine them as research develops - for example, the WMM was developed as the MSM couldn't account for certain findings such as research into dual-performance tasks, parallel processing. The episodic buffer was then added to the WMM in 2000.
• Information processing model


  Suggests information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages that include input, storage, and retrieval.

  
  

  In this way, if we manipulate experimentally the 'input', which will be mentally processed, then upon observing the 'output', we can make inferences about mental processes.
• Computer model


  Computer models have been developed to represent cognitive processes. These can be used to simulate human processing and test our understanding of a particular cognitive process.

  
  

  The 'computer analogy' refers to the suggestion that the mind is like a computer, describing it as a processor.

  
  

  Information is inputted through the senses, encoded into memory and then combined with previously stored info to complete a task.
• Inferences


  Cognitive psychologists manipulate the info a person takes in and observe what comes out (behaviour).

  
  

  So, we can develop theories about how people's minds work by comparing input and output.
• Schemas


  A cognitive representation of things, situations, people etc... in our lives. These are developed through experience, and so become more detailed with age.

  
  

  Schemas allow us to take shortcuts when interpreting a large amount of information on a daily basis.

  
  

  Therefore, they prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli - allow us to take shortcuts in processing information.

  
  

  However, they may distort our interpretation of sensory information. They may lead us to ignore information that doesn't fit into our schema - eg: a stereotype is difficult to modify.
• Cognitive neuroscience


  Cognitive - mind

  Biological - brain

  Cognitive neuroscience - seeks to map the mind onto the brain

  
  

  This has been made possible due to the development of non-invasive neuroimaging techniques, such as fMRIs, PET scans etc....

  
  

  For example, Tulving has shown how episodic LTM an semantic LTM are located in opposite sides of the pre-frontal cortex.
• Methodology - P


  Uses objective scientific method to collect information.
• Methodology - E


  The use of lab experiments to manipulate one independent variable at a time and control extraneous variables.

  for example, they manipulate the information available for people to input or how they process it to see what effect this has on an aspect of behaviour (outputs)
• Methodology - E


  This allows them to draw cause and effect conclusions about the information processing that takes place in the brain
• Methodology - L


  This increases the validity and reliability of the explanation as the accuracy and replicability are assured, thus increasing support.
• Machine reductionism - P

  The computer analogy has been criticised as it oversimplifies complex human cognitive processes.
• Machine reductionism - E

  Cognitive models of human behaviour tend to concentrate on information flow through predictable systems.

  
  

  Real human interaction is much more complex.
• Machine reductionism - E

  For example, reducing the mind to the level of a machine ignores the influence of human emotion and motivations - and how this might affect our ability to process information.

  
  

  For example, research has found that human memory can be affected by emotional factors such as the influence of high levels of anxiety on EWT.
• Machine reductionism - L

  Computer models neglect to incorporate unpredictable, emotional and motivational influences on human behaviours - and so can't closely resemble real-life everyday behaviour.

  
  

  Thus reducing the validity and support for the cognitive approach.
• Scientific method - P

  Cognitive psychologists favour scientific methods and experimentation for creating theories and models of cognition.
• Scientific method - E

  This has involved the use of highly controlled lab studies - using standardised methods - to produce reliable, objective data.

  
  

  Therefore, conclusions are based on more than introspection which can give a misleading picture of mental processes.
• Scientific method - E

  However, much of the research has been criticised as lacking ecological validity.

  
  

  Experiments are often carried out using artificial stimuli, such as recall of word lists in studies of memory.
• Scientific method - L

  Therefore, data gathered using highly controlled experimentation is unlikely to be generalisable to memory function in everyday life - lacking mundane realism.

  
  

  This reduces the external validity and support for the cognitive approach.
• Less deterministic - P


  A strength of this approach is that it's based on soft determinism.
• Less deterministic - E

  The approach recognises the limits of our cognitive system but also that we are free to think before responding to a stimulus.

  
  

  - we are able to reason and make conscious decisions within the limits of our 'cognitive framework
• Less deterministic - E


  This contrasts the behaviourist approach which takes a hard determinist stance, suggesting we are passive 'slaves' to our environment and lack free will.

  
  

  Skinner claimed that all our behaviour is environmentally determined and that free will is simply an illusion.
• Less deterministic - L


  Therefore, this approach takes a more reasonable middle ground position and is more in line with our subjective sense of free will.