Cognitive Approach Core Content

What are the focuses of cognitive approach

Focuses on how people perceive, store, manipulate and interpret information

Look at internal metal processes to understand behaviour

Assumptions of cognitive approach

Cognitive approach argues that internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically

Cognitive approach makes inferences about what’s going on inside peoples minds on basis of their behaviour

Schema

Cognitive framework that allows us to organise and interpret information in the brain

Develop our whole lives and we add info to each one as we get older

Framework of behavioural expectations. “Guide” our behaviour for different events and the roles we play

Why are schemas useful

Allow us to make mental shortcuts when interpreting large amounts of info daily

Help fill the gaps in absence of complete information

Example of why schema is useful

If you sit next to an elderly peroson you act based on your schema for behavioural expectations around an elderly person

Negative consequence of a schema

Might exclude information if it dosen’t support your own established ideas

May only seek info that confirms our own established ideas about the world

May develop stereotypes that are difficult to ignore even when faces with new conflicting information

Example of a consequence do a negative schema

Bringing about social change though minority influence

Two types of model

Theoretical model

Computer model

Theoretical model

Simplified representation of cognitive processes based on current research evidence

Features of the theoretical model

• They are often in pictorial format with boxes and arrows which indicate cause and effect or stages in mental processes

• They can be updated and refined as new evidence emerges

• Evidence cognitive psychologists can reach logical conclusions about memory processes (interference)

Computer model

• use a computer analogy, information is inputted through the senses, encoded into memory and then combined with previously stored information to complete a task

• As a computer, information stored on hard drive in long term memory and random access memory corresponds to working memory as temporary workspace which is cleared and well resent after task being completed is finished

Cognitive neuroscience

Dedicated to underlying neural bases of cognitive functions (how the brain works)

What methods are used in cognitive neuroscience

Positron emission tomography

Functional magnetic resonance

How do cognitive neuroscience methods help psychologists

Understand how brain supports different cognitive activities and emotions by showing which parts of the brain become active in specific circumstances

Double dissociation

Person one can do task a not b

Person two can do task B not task A

Can cognitive approach me applied to other areas in psychology

Cognitive approach has many applications

Strength of cognitive approach is that it has been applied to other areas of psychology

Social psychology, research in social cognition helped psychologists understand how we interpret actions of others and cognitive approach to psychopathology has been used to explain how much of the dysfunctional behaviour shown by people can be traced back to faulty thinking processes

Insights have led to successful treatment using cognitive based interventions of people suffering from disorders eg depression and OCD