cognitive approach

what is the cognitive approach?

the study of internal mental processes, the role of schema, the use of models to explain and make inferences about mental processes

what does the cognitive approach focus on?

how we perceive, store, manipulate and interpret information e.g. memory, attention, perception, reasoning, problem solving and decsion making

what are 4 things that the cognitive approach is based on?

1. Thought processes can be, and should be, studied scientifically. We use inference to draw conclusions from these studies.

2. The mind works like a computer in that it has an input from our senses which it then processes and produces an output such as language or specific behaviours.

3. Stimulus and response is appropriate but only if the thought processes that occur between the stimulus and response are acknowledged (this is a direct criticism of behaviourism).

4. Schemas operate to organise and interpret information in the brain.

what is a schema?

a mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing, developed from experience

what are 4 things that schemas do?

• Mental shortcuts - don’t have to think of everything brand new again

• Create expectations - good as they allow you to be prepared and know what to expect but bad because they also can create prejudice

• Allow us to fill in the gaps - makes stories coherent but can make information inaccurate

• Exclude anything that doesn’t fit into the schema - can cause unfair judgements

what is inference?

drawing conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour

what is a theory?

a collection of general principles that explain observations and facts