Cognitive Approach

• What is the Cognitive Approach?

  The study of internal mental processes, the role of schema, the use of theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes. The emergence of cognitive neuroscience.
• Study of Internal Mental Processes

  Internal Mental Processes are operations that occur during thinking. This includes how we interpret information from our own perception and how we choose to be attentive to certain parts and ignore others. It also focuses on how we store information and use language to communicate while we use problem solving. This approach realises these concepts cannot be directly observed and use inferences to understand them
• Role of Schema


  Schema Theory is an information-processing model that emphasises how perception and memory are shaped by pre cognitive frameworks. They are an example of top down information processing as they provide us with expectation of what will happen and help us to make sense of ambiguous situations by filling in the gaps however due to their nature they can create errors.
• Theoretical Models


  As these concepts cannot be proven they use inference models such as The Multi-store Model of Memory (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968) and THe Working Model of Memory (Baddeley and Hitch, 1974)
• Use of Computer Models

  Long Term Memory: Secondary Storage (SSD, Hard Disk)

  Short Term Memory: Primary Storage (RAM, Cache)

  Decision Process: CPU
• Cognitive Neuroscience


  Bridges the gap between the cognitive and biological approach
• Brain Structure and LTM Stores

  Hippocampus: Episodic

  Temporal Lobe: Semantic

  Cerebellum and Motor Cortex: Procedural

  OCD: Parahippocampal Gyrus
• Evaluation: Neuroimaging Technology such as MRIs

  [S] Brain scans have proven some of the brain activity does correlate to specific functions in the brain

  [W] This evidence is only correlational and is not proof
• Evaluation: Holistic approach


  [S] Recognises the complexity of human behaviour and does not ignore a biological foundation but the precise nature of consciousness and memory are hard to reduce.
• Evaluation: Real World Applications


  [S] Explains misleading eye witness testimony and has application to CBT
• Evaluation: Ignores motivation and emotion


  States we are more biological machines and ignores that we are not only cognitive creatures
• Evaluation: Respects both nature and nurture


  Recognises information processing occurs in the brain and is of biological origin whereas schemas are affected by the environment
• Evaluation: Nomothetic and Idiographic


  [S] Experimental methods are used to generate universal laws to explain behaviour and draw on the findings of individual case studies such as Clive Wearing.