1
Q
Outline of the cognitive approach
A
- cognitive approach (CA) argues that human behaviour is shaped by internal mental processes that
can be both conscious and non-conscious. - Mental processes can be compared to that of a computer. This can be explained by computer and theoretical models which can be used to provide testable theories which are studied scientifically and inferences made such as the MSM.
- Schemas are folders of ideas/information that are developed through experience. It contains a person’s beliefs and expectations , which become strengthened over time.
- These schemes help us process lots of information quickly, and so are useful to prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by the environment.
- Cognition and biological processes can be integrated leading to cognitive neuroscience as a way forward to understanding human behaviour.
- Additionally, cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of brain structures that are responsible for cognitive processes using brain scanning techniques.
- It involves the study of neurotypical individuals to locate the physical basis of cognitive processes in the brain.
2
Q
Scientific study of mental processes
A
- Cognitive psychologists study internal mental processes e.g. perception, attention, memory and problem solving in order to understand human behaviour
3
Q
What is an Inference?
A
- Reaching a logical conclusion on the basis of evidence and reasoning.
- This enables cognitive psychologists to develop theories about the mental processes that led to the observed behaviour
4
Q
What is a schema?
A
- Cognitive framework in memory that helps to organise and interpret information in the brain and is based on experience
5
Q
Role of schemas
A
- People use schemas and existing knowledge to make sense of new incoming info and we often ‘fill in the gaps’ using schema-driven knowledge in the absence of full information
- From experience, we form schemas for objects/people, social roles and situations
- Important as they help to simplify a complex social world, to take shortcuts when interpreting a huge amount of information from the world via our senses and to predict what might happen on the basis of past experience i.e. expectations e.g. stereotypes
6
Q
Theoretical models
A
- Simplified representations based on current research evidence
- Often represented as pictures with boxes and arrows that indicate the transfer of information or stages of a particular mental process
7
Q
Information processing model
A
- Suggests information flows through a cognitive system in a sequence of stages that include input, processing and output.
- Based on serial processing (one piece of info is processed at a time) and is linear (cannot skip a stage)
Input – processing – output.
8
Q
A ‘computer model’
A
- Refers to the process of using computer analogies as a representation of human cognition
- Using computer analogy, info is inputted through the senses, encoded into memory and then combined with previously stored information to complete a task
9
Q
What is cognitive neuroscience?
A
- Scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes
- The use of scanning techniques and the study of ‘neurotypical’ individuals to locate the physical basis of cognitive processes in the brain
10
Q
How do neuroscientists study the brain?
A
- Giving them info about brain structures involved in mental processing e.g. memory, attention, perception and problem solving
- Use of non-invasive neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) help psychologists to understand how the brain supports different mental processes and emotions by showing what parts of the brain become activated in certain circumstances
11
Q
Method of studying the brain
A
- Study neurotypical individuals i.e. normal individuals with an intact, fully functioning brain and compare with patients with damaged brain from trauma, disease or surgery
- Brian injuries can be mapped using brain imaging techniques (PET AND fMRI). Patients asked to do cognitive tests while scanning is taking place – patterns of activity shown in scan compared with control group
- = used to make inferences about how cog processes normally function e.g. what parts are responsible for different cognitive functions
- Also interested in how studying impairments in brain areas – may characterises certain psych conditions
12
Q
Shallice and Warrington (1970)
A
- Demonstrated by patients KF and HM
- KF had poor STM but fully functioning LTM (damaged to left parietal occipital lobe) during motorcycle accident
13
Q
Scoville and Miller (1957)
A
- HM had undergone surgery for elipsy – hippocampus removed
- HM unable to put any info into his LTM after surgery but STM was normal
- = 2 cases represent evidence of double dissociation and conclusion that STM memory and LTM memory located in different areas of the brain
14
Q
scientific approach.
A
- One strength of the CA is its use of scientific and objective research methodology.
- For example, CA uses lab experiments which are highly controlled and eliminate effects of extraneous variables to establish a cause and effect relationship to make inferences about human behaviour.
- This increases psychology’s credibility as a science.
- Emergence of cog neuroscience has enabled the 2 fields of biology and cog psychology to come together which means the study
- means a scientific basis is established
15
Q
practical applications.
A
- Cog approach helped understanding of causes of psych disorders e.g. depression which can be traced back to faulty thought processes. E.g. depression (negative thoughts of self, world, future) has led to successful treatment based on cog based theory e.g.
- CBT (changes irrational to rational thoughts) in order to change dys behaviour.
- Thus it helps resolve our inner negative feelings and improve the mental health of the population, and helps Improves quality of life Therefore, beneficial to society
16
Q
lacks ecological validity
A
- Many studies in cog psych tend to use tasks that have little in common with pts natural every day in experiences e.g. memory tests use artificial test materials that are meaningless e.g. lists.
- Therefore, likely that we could generalise findings to real life situation.
- Therefore, research fails to reflect the behaviours that occur in real life settings therefore lacks eco validity
17
Q
Oversimplistic
A
- Studies of brain damaged patients should be used w/caution.
- This is because damage to brain sustained by trauma is rarely neat e.g. not restricted to one region.
- Therefore, to assume an area in the brain is responsible for certain cog function is oversimplistic esp as brain pathways run throughout different brain areas.
- Therefore, research may not be accurate
18
Q
One limitation of the CA is that it reduces the human mind to a machine.
A
- The use of computer models
is known as machine reductionism- humans and computers process information in the same ways,
which is not the case. - Computers are going to give you the same output given a particular input, whereas humans are-influenced by environment/emotion and therefore there isn’t a particular way a human will act- yet these factors are not considered by CA.
- This is a disadvantage as it makes the theory reductionist, compared to the HA which does account for all these things.
- However, it’s more developed than the BA as it takes into account the thinking processes that occur before stimulus and response
