Cognitive approach

• Cognitive approach-

  • study of internal mental processes
  • the role of the scheme and use of theoretical/computer models t explain/make inferences about mental processes
  • the emergence of cognitive neuroscience
• Assumptions-

  • psychologists should study the entire mental processes- thoughts and information processing
  • mental processes should be studied scientifically using imperial methods
  • psychologists should make inferences on cognitive processes
• Schema-

  • mental frame works that affects personal believes/experiences
  • used to process lots of information quickly
  • help predicts events based on pat experiences
  • prevents overwhelming stimuli
  • can have: misinterpretations, perceptual errors, negative/faulty schema
• Computer models-

  • similar to brains in the way information is processed
  • central processing unit is the brain
  • coding is the information put in a usable format
  • stores hold information
  • models are useful in helping make AI
• Evaluations-

  • S- real world application- applies to AI, depression and eye witness testimony
  • W- machine reductionism - computers ignore the complexity of the human brain (ignores the influence of emotions), weakening validity
  • W- self-report affects the reliability
  • W- mental event can also cause different behaviours
  • W- based on soft determinism (internal/external/free will), hard determinism (factors other than our will like genetics)
• Evaluations-

  • CPS- scientific methods of lab studies give reliable objective data, giving a creditable scientific base
  • CPW-use of inference and artificial stimuli give low external validity