Cognitive Area

Question 1

Main focus

Answer 1

• the study of mental processes such as memory, perception, thinking, reasoning, problem solving and language
• we cannot see thinking or memory: we can only see the end results of these cognitive processes as they are displayed in behaviour
• how we think determines how we behave

Question 2

Principles

Answer 2

• humans don’t just passively respond to their environment but rather actively organise and manipulate the info we receive. The study of these internal mental processes is important in understanding behaviour
• a humans mind can be compared to a computer as both are information processors: receiving, interpreting and responding to information
• these processes can be tested scientifically and models of cognitive functions developed
• schema theory- all info is stored in schemas which are constantly updated, we use them to interpret new experiences

Question 3

Methods of investigation

Answer 3

Experiments: often in a lab under strictly controlled conditions

Question 4

Strengths of cognitive area

Answer 4

• as the approach is scientific and tries to isolate the IV it tends to use lab experiments with high levels of control: this helps to establish cause and effect
• this also allows accurate measurement of DV using quantitative data enabling comparisons to be made between different conditions
• it helps to understand how we attend to, think, remember and make sense of the world which leads to practical applications

Question 5

Weaknesses of cognitive area

Answer 5

• as the approach is scientific and tries to isolate the IV it tends to use lab experiments with high levels of control so some research has low ecological validity
• it is reductionist, ignoring other factors influencing mental processing eg biological emotional
• tends to rely on quantitative rather than qualitative measure therefore lacking insight into the emotional life of humans
• in many ways the mind does not work like a computer. It is emotional, intuitive and influenced by instinct aswell as logic - cognition is an active process dependent on a range of factors both internal and external