Principles that define the cognitive level of analysis

Principles that define the cognitive level of analysis: human beings are information processors and mental processes guide behaviour the mind can be studied scientifically by developing theories and using a number of scientific research methods cognitive processes are influenced by social and cultural factors

1. human beings are information processors and mental processes guide behaviour.- the mind is a complex machine - information input to the mind comes via bottom-up processing- information is processed in the mind by top-down processing- there is some output in the form of behaviour.

VOCAB:- bottom-up processing - sensory system- top-down processing - pre-stored stored information.- schema - defined as a mental representation of knowledge.

2. the mind can be studied scientifically by developing theories and using a number of scientific research methods.-demonstrated in theories and models of cognition which are discussed and continuously tested.

3. cognitive processes are influenced by social and cultural factors- British psychologist Frederic Bartlett coined the term schema- how schemas (in Bartlett's case culture schemas) influence remembering.