Cognitivism

• Outline cognitivism

  The key assumptions of the cognitive approach are that thought processes can and should be studied scientifically and that the mind works like a computer. It has input from the senses which it then processes to produce outputs such as language and specific behaviours.
• Outline models in cognitivism

  Cognitive psychology uses theoretical models, such as the multi store model of memory, and looks at behaviour in a series of distinct steps. The information processing model is one way that psychologists apply the idea of computation to the human mind by comparing it to a computer.
• Outline schemas in cognitivism

  Schemas are a cognitive representation of our ideas about a person or a situation and are formed through experiences. They allow us to predict what may happen or be expected of us. They mean we can process a lot of information quickly, but schemas can also lead to distortions in our perception.
• Outline cognitive neuroscience

  Cognitive neuroscience is a more recent adaption to the cognitive approach. This approach looks for a biological basis for thought processes combining cognitive and biological psychology. This emerged in the 1950s however George Miller first used the term cognitive neuroscience in 1971. MRI and PET scans have enabled scientists to systematically observe and describe neurological basis of mental processes.
• What are the strengths of cognitivism

  A strength of the cognitive approach is that it uses scientific methodology. Much of the research into internal mental processes uses lab studies which are highly controlled. This enables researchers to infer what cognitive processes are taking place in a reliable and objective way. This is particularly true with the emergence of cognitive neurosciences, as this uses biological means of measuring cognitive processes, further enhancing its scientific credibility.
• What are the weaknesses of cognitivism

  Abstract concepts

  
  

  Case studies

  
  

  Overlooks emotions

  
  

  Reductionist
• Elaborate on abstract concepts as a weakness for cognitivism

  However, a weakness of the cognitive approach is that it uses abstract concepts. Schemas and theoretical models are abstract concepts as they are difficult to scientifically evidence. This means the approach can lack falsifiability as we cannot disprove their existence. The methods used to investigate internal mental processes are also reliant on inference, which leads to subjective interpretation.
• Elaborate on case studies as a weakness of cognitivism

  There are some studies that use case studies, such as HM, but these are highly unusual individuals and so are not generalisable to other 'normal' people. Therefore, the approach could be considered to lack scientific credibility. However, cognitive neuroscience, does begin to do this in a more scientific manner through the use of brain scanning techniques such as fMRI.
• Elaborate on overlooking emotions as a weaknesses for cognitivism

  Another weakness of the cognitive approach is that theoretical models may oversimplify complex processes. For example, the role of emotion in humans is sometimes overlooked, a form of 'machine reductionism'. For example, anxiety can affect the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. Therefore, a computer analogy is not a valid way of explaining mental processes and reduces the overall validity of the approach.
• Elaborate on reductionism as a weakness for cognitivism

  However, it could be argued that the cognitive approach is reductionist. It suggests that people are mechanistic and lack free will, whereas most of us would prefer to believe we have choices in our behaviour. Therefore, this suggests that the approach does not acknowledge the concept of free will, although it does recognise internal processes, which behaviourism does not and so could be seen as an improvement on their approach
• Evaluate cognitive neuroscience

  Allows us to study the brain directly, not just infer

  
  

  Allows us to map abilities to brain areas

  
  

  Time lapses can impact validity

  
  

  Requires time, training, money and facilities