Cognitive approach

• Cognitive psychologists use both theoretical and computer models to help them understand internal mental processes
• Theoretical models

  Abstract
• Computer models

  Concrete things
• Information processing approach

  Information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages including input, storage and retrieval
• The information processing approach is based on the way that computers function
• Computer models involve programming a computer to see if instructions produce similar output to humans
• If computer model output is similar to humans, it suggests similar processes are going on in the human mind
• Cognitive neuroscience


  The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes
• Advances in brain imaging techniques have enabled scientists to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes
• Scanning techniques have proved useful in establishing the neurological basis of some mental disorders
• The focus of cognitive neuroscience has expanded to include the use of computer-generated models that are designed to read the brain, leading to the development of brain fingerprinting
• Strengths of the cognitive approach

  • Uses objective, scientific methods
  • Has practical application
• Limitations of the cognitive approach

  • Based on machine reductionism which ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation
• Machine reductionism may weaken the validity of the cognitive approach