Cognitive approach

• assumptions of cognitive

  Mind is an information processor. Use inferences to study non observable behaviour such as memory and thinking
• Schemas info


  Cognitive framework helps interpret info via shortcuts. Fill in gaps of info about things.

  can lead to distortion of info, schemas may not be relevant. Explains incorrect eye witness testimony and optical illusions
• Mind is like a computer analogy 


  Compare mind to computer- computer changes info, stores it, uses it, and produces output like brain

  computer model (brain model)

  input: keyboard (hearing)

  process: sorting (attention)

  output: print (saying)
• Theoretical models what


  Used to study internal mental processes, dramatical representation of steps in mental processes
• Cognitive neuroscience what


  Study structure of brain. Map areas of brain to their function. Neuroimaging like PET allows understanding how brain works by showing where is active when. E.G. Bruner et al found guilt activates medial prefrontal cortex
• Strength of cognitive approach

  Scientific. High control studies allow inference of cognitive processes. Lab studies produce reliable data. credible scientific basis. cog neuroscience is biological + cognitive
• Weakness of cognitive approach

  Too abstract. No observation just inference.
• Another weakness of cognitive

  Lacks external validity. Artificial stimuli used In research
• Another strength of cognitive

  Real life application. Most dominant approach. Contributions to AI, robotics, eye witness testimony. highly valuable