The cognitive approach

Assumptions

• The cognitive approach is in direct contrast to the behaviourist approach. It argues that internal mental processes can/should be studied scientifically.

• The cognitive approach has investigated memory, perception and thinking

• These processes are private and cannot be observed so cognitive psychologist study them indirectly by making inferences

The role of the schema

• Schema are ‘packages’ of ideas and information developed through experience. They act as a mental framework for the interpretation of incoming information received by the cognitive system

• Babies are born with simple motor schema for innate behaviours such as sucking and grasping

• As we get older, our schema becomes more detailed and sophisticated

• schema enable us to process information quickly

Theoretical and computer models

• cognitive psychologists use both theoretical and computer models to help them understand internal mental processes

Theoretical models

- are abstract

- they provide a simplified representation for how mental processes are believed to work . It shows how information flows through the mind

-an example is the multi store model of memory, each memory store has features such as capacity and duration

-helps psychologists visualise and test ideas about cognition

-but it oversimplifies real cognitive processes which are much more complex and interactive

Computer models

-are concrete and a stimulations of mental processes.

-uses computer analogies to understand how the human mind processes information , the brain is compared to hardware while cognitive processes are compared to software

-it allows psychologists to stimulate and test theories about mental processes

-useful for developing AI and cognitive neuroscience

-can be too mechanistic, humans are emotional and social beings not just information processors

Cognitive neuroscience

• cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the influence of brain structures and mental processes

• Mapping brain areas specific cognitive functions has a long history

• In the 19th century Paul Broca Identified how damage to an area of the frontal lobe could permanently impair speech

• In the last 25 years advances imaging techniques such as MRI and PET scans led scientist to have been able to observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes

Strengths

• One Strength of the cognitive approach is that it uses objective, scientific methods -Cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled methods of study. Researches are able to infer cognitive processes at work. This Has involved the use of lab studies to produce reliable, objective data. In addition the emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled the two fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together and enhance the scientific basis of study

• Once strength of the cognitive approach is that it has practical application - The cognitive approach is probably the dominant approach in psychology and has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts. For example, cognitive psychology has made an important contribution in the field of AI and the development of robots

Limitations

• One limitation is that the cognitive approach is based on machine reductionism - there are similarities between the human mind and the operations of a thinking machine such as a computer, however computer analogy has been criticised. such machine reductionism ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system and how it may affect the ability to process information

• Nomothetic approach