Cognitive Aproach

Key Assumptions:
1. Focus on internal mental processes
2. Assume the mind is like a computer
  1. Both have inputs and outputs and processes
  2. This is called Computer Analogy
3. Believe processes can be studied indirectly
  1. Observing behaviour and making inferences
The Study Of Internal Mental Processes
1. What happens in the mind
  1. Experiences and interpretation of sensory information: Perception
  2. How we select important information: Attention
  3. How we use information to solve problems: Thinking
  4. How we store and retrieve information: Memory
2. Cannot be seen so we make inferences
  1. Through observing behaviour and using logic to draw conclusions.
The Role Of Scemas
1. Definition: A mental framework about a concept that are based on personal experiences
2. Provide a mental shortcut when processing information
3. When in an unfamiliar situation, wecan use schemas to make predictions about what to expect.
4. We can use schemas to fill in the gaps in our memory
5. Too much reliance can lead to perceptual errors and false memories, leading to inaccurate stereotypes
6. Allport and Postman
  1. Aim: To study the way schemas distort memory
  2. Participants studied an image tat showed two people in an argument, one white one black, then were asked to recall different details
  3. Results: Most incorrectly reported the black man to be holding a razor when it was a white an
    1. Schema of race
  4. Conclusion: Relied on schema which at the time contained association berween black race ad criminality
The Role Of Theoretical And Computer Models
1. Use inferences to develop models to explain mental processes
2. A theoretical model represents how information processing works
  1. Usually in diagram form with boxes that represent structures and arrows to represent sequences
3. They use computer analogy so theoretical models are computer models too
4. There are many similarities between components of the mind and computer
  1. Limited capacity
  2. Both encode into visual format
  3. Both store information
The Emergence Of Cognitive Neuroscience
1. A branch of psychology that draws together the cognitive and biological approach
2. Emerged with the development of brain scanning
3. It is the study of the neural basis of mental processes such as memory.
  1. It looks at how the brain controls things like the memory , and which parts of the brain are used in each tasks.
4. Uses neuro - imaging techniques like PET scans and fMRI scans
  1. These provide an active image of living brain that reveals which parts are used during which tasks
5. Tulving et al used PET scans on individuals while recalling different types of long term memory
  1. Cerebellum: Procedural memory
  2. Temporal Lobe: Semantic andepisodic memory
  3. Frontal Lobe: Episodic mmory
6. McGuire et all used neuro - imaging techniques with London taxi drivers
  1. The hippocampus is bigger in taxi drivers than average people.
    1. This can be useful to those with Alzheimer's, stroke victims or those with brain trauma, as we now know the hippocampus can adapt to a persons needs
7. OCD is associated with a circuit in the brain consisting of the OFC, the basal ganglia and the thalamus
  1. Sufferers have overactivity in these areas, which causes exaggerated responses to 'threat'
A strength of the cognitive approach is that it has practical applications.
1. Neuroscience research into the knowledge shows the hippocampus is adaptableso can lead to techniques to helppeople with memory imparements such as alzheimers.
  1. This means the approach can help improve peoples lives in the real world.
    1. Another strength is that it is scientific
      1. This Is because it uses lab experiments, which have standardised procedures that allow us to establish cause and effect. Loftus manipulated the wording of the questions and controlled what was seen, telling us the wording og questions affect memory.
        This means the approach has established credible conclusions based on more than common sense.
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that it lacks ecological validity
1. This is because it uses lab experiments so results may not reflect real life as the tasks are artificial,or example showing a video tape of events isn't ast raumatic and meaningful as experiencing it in real life.
  1. Also, because it is not possible to directly study mental processes, inferences must be made, whichmay be mistaken and incorrect.
    1. This means the approach may not provide a valid explanation of how it works in real life
      1. Furthermore, there are limitations of computer analogy
        There are many differences between computers and humans, such as humans are capable of prcessing and responding to emotions, and are also capable of independent though and free will, so computers are more predictable and limited than humans.
        Therefore the approach can be criticised for machine reductionism, as it relies on computer models, and these may over - simplify the complexity of the human mind.

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Cognitive Aproach

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