Cognitive approach

The cognitive approach is based upon the scientific study of what?

The mind

The cognitive approach sees the mind as what?

An information processor

What are used to investigate the information processing that occurs within the brain?

Models

What are 3 examples of information processes within the brain?

Language, perception & memory

What is an example of a model that has investigated information processes in the brain?

The multi-store model of memory

Information processing is based upon what 3 major factors?

Inputs, processes & outputs

Aside from inputs, processes & outputs, what other ways does the cognitive approach examine information processes which share similarities with a computer?

Encoding, storage & retrieval

Given the similarities that the cognitive approach has with a computer, what term has been used to explain human mental processes?

The computer analogy

What does the cognitive approach assume exists between stimulus & response?

Mediational processes

What would be an example of a mediational process within the cognitive approach?

Memory

Mediational processes cannot be seen directly. Instead, what do cognitive psychologists do?

Infer these through scientific experiments

What is an example of inference?

Memory cannot be seen directly but can be inferred through memory tests

What is a schema & what is an example of a schema?

Mental frameworks, developed from past experiences that help speed up processing & make predictions - they also prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli

 What are some advantages of schemas?

• They speed up processing by using past experiences to make predictions

• They use more of the information our brains are receiving

• They prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli

What is a problem with schemas?

• They can distort our interpretation of sensory information, lead to perceptual errors & biased recall which can confabulate our memories (e.g. EWT)

• Faulty schema can also have a negative impact upon mental health (e.g. Beck & Ellis’ cognitive theory of depression)

What is cognitive neuroscience?

The scientific study of the brain/neurological structure, mechanisms & processes that are responsible for cognitive processes

What is a benefit of scanning techniques in relation to cognitive neuroscience?

They locate different types of memory in different parts of the brain, which can lead to the treatment of memory deficits

Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach (16 marks)

Write your AO1 paragraph

• The cognitive approach is based upon the scientific study of the mind as an information processor, focusing on processes, such as language, perception & memory. Information processing is based upon inputs, processes & outputs, as well as encoding, storage & retrieval - given the similarities this has with a computer, the computer analogy has been developed to explain human mental processes.

• This approach also assumes there are mediational processes between stimulus & response (e.g. memory), which cannot be directly observed, but can be inferred through scientific experiments (e.g. memory tests).

• This approach refers to schemas, which are mental frameworks, developed from past experiences that help speed up processing & make predictions; they also prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli. However, faulty schemas can distort perception & memory, leading to biased, inaccurate recall (e.g. EWT) & negative mental health (Beck & Ellis’ cognitive theory of depression).

• More recently, there has been greater research into cognitive neuroscience, which is the scientific study of the brain/neurological structure, mechanisms & processes responsible for cognitive processes (e.g. Tulving’s PET scans found that episodic, semantic & procedural memories are located in distinct areas of the brain - this can lead to the treatment of memory deficits).

Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach (16 marks)

Write your strength AO3 PEEL (Peterson & Peterson)

• Point: One strength of the cognitive approach is that many experiments into human behaviour use human participants.

• Evidence: For example, this can be seen in Peterson & Peterson’s trigram study into the duration of short-term memory, which investigated concepts, such as decay, within the multi-store model of memory.

• Explain: This is more advantageous when compared to behaviourist & biological experiments which often generalise results from animal studies (e.g. Skinner’s & Gorski’s use of rats).

• Link: Overall, the cognitive approach is praised for having high control over extraneous variables & for being more objective than the subjective case study method used by the psychodynamic approach (e.g. Little Hans).

Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach (16 marks)

Write your strength AO3 PEEL (Martin & Halverson)

• Point: One strength of the cognitive approach is that it is less deterministic than other approaches (e.g. behaviourist & biological approach).

• Evidence: For example, Martin & Halverson’s gender schema theory proposes that whilst the ability to form schemas are innate, the way in which we seek information to develop gender occurs through the environment.

• Explain: This suggests the cognitive approach considers elements of both nature & nurture, so adopts an interactionist position within the nature-nurture debate.

• Link: As such, this approach has soft determinism & considers a wider range of factors that lead to our overall gender development.

Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach (16 marks)

Write your limitation AO3 PEEL (machine reductionism)

• Point: One limitation of the cognitive approach is that it suffers from machine reductionism.

• Evidence: For example, episodic memories have been found to be triggered by emotional events in our lives, yet these cannot be incorporated into a computer model.

• Explain: This suggests that the computer analogy fails to recognise the importance of emotions in explaining human behaviour & cognition.

• Link: Overall, this contrasts with the humanist perspective, which is much more person-centred & recognises the value of individual differences.