cognitive

• Schema


  A cognitive representation of our ideas about a person or situation. Formed through experience & allow us to predict what may happen in our world
• The role of schemas


  Unique to each individual. People can form similar schemas due to shared experiences. Packages of information developed through our experiences
• Theoretic model


  The idea that the processing of information takes place in a series of stages: input, storage, retrieval
• Computer model


  Cognitive processes of a human are similar to the processes of a computer, information is received by the senses, further processed/transformed & then used to guide action & behaviour: stimulus, attention, memory, response
• Similarities between computer & human processing

  There can be damage to both affecting the ability to process information. Both input information into memory; illustrated by multi-store model of memory. Both have output responses. Both have capacity limitations
• Criticism of computer models of human thought

  Represents humans as mechanical things that operate in a predictable way; too simplistic & rigid to explain human thought. Computer memory is infallible whereas humans regularly have difficulty trying to recall information stored. Computers have limited capacity, the capacity of human memory is unlimited. Information stored in the memory of a computer can be transferred identically to another, cannot happen in humans. Computers don't have a conscious awareness like humans, don't have emotions that can affect their output.
• The emergence of cognitive neuroscience

  The scientific study of the influence of brain structures (NEURAL) on mental processes (COGNITION)
• Tulving et al (1994)


  Found episodic & semantic memories are linked to opposite sides of the pre-frontal cortex in the brain, establishing a neurological basis of some disorders, eg. the Para hippocampal gyrus & OCD
• Strengths of cognitive approach

  Uses scientific & objective methods, eg. lab studies to infer cognitive process at work, two fields of biology & cognitive psychology come together to enhance scientific basis of the study, therefore the study of the mind has established a credible, scientific basis. The approach is applicable to everyday life, has been applied to a wide range of practical & theoretical contexts, eg. improving eyewitness testimony with the use of the cognitive interview for greater recall, supporting the validity of the approach
• Weakness of cognitive approach

  The use of inference means cognitive psychology can be too abstract & theoretical, research often uses artificial stimuli & therefore may lack external validity. Recognises that our cognitive system operates within certain limits but we are free to make decisions before responding to a stimulus: soft determinism, more reasonable 'interactionist' position compared to behaviourist approach, cognitive approach takes a more flexible - middle ground position & is in line with subjective sense of free will.