the cognitive approach

define the cognitive approach

the cognitive approach is an approach in psychology that studies internal mental processes, such as memory, thinking, perception and attention, to explain behaviour

define schema and the 3 types

are packages of ideas developed through experience

role,event and self

why are perceptual errors caused?

because schemas can also distort interpretations

properly define perceptual errors

are mistakes in interpreting sensory info or judging situations due to factors like cognitive biases,emotions,past experiences +environmental condition

what do schemas avoid?

• schemas enable us to process info quicker + avoids us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli

which type of schema gives info about what happens in a situation?

event

define self schema

info about ourselves based on physical characteristics, personality, beliefs + values which can affect the way we act

define role schemas

ideas about expected behaviour from someone in a certain role, setting or situation

give an example of event schemas

e.g. your at a football game, so you know there will be cheering

give an example of a self schema

e.g. “I’m an introvert” or “I am tall”

give an example of a role schema

e.g. you’d expect a chef to be a good cook and have clean hands

when was the first digital computer made?

1950s-60s

what did this give psychologists

‘model’ for the human mind

what did the multi-store model represent + who was it from?

• the multi-store model and working memory model represent an aspect of mental activity in terms of input, processing and output

• Atkinson + Shiffrin

define inference

a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence + reasoning; cognitive psychologists research conclusions based on observed behaviour

how does the cognitive approach help treat depression?

→Aaron Beck’s cognitive approach to treating depression is : negative triad, involving an individual’s view of the world

→depression may occur through negative thoughts (from triad), so there’s ways to challenge these thoughts through cognitive behavioural therapy

give another strength

USES OBJECTIVE + SCIENTIFIC METHODS

→cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled + rigorous methods of studies so researchers can infer cognitive processes

→lab studies are used to process objective data

why can’t this approach be observed? is that a weakness?

→processes like memory, thinking and attention can’t be seen so researchers have to infer them

→conclusions on mental processes might not be completely accurate

give another weakness

MACHINE REDUCTIONISM

→ignores the influence of human emotions + motivation on the cognitive system

→research has found emotional factors affect memory such as the influence of anxiety on eye witnesses

→this weakens the approach’s validity