Cognitive approach - study book notes

What does internal mental processes refer to ?

the operations that occur during thinking

Give examples of internal mental processes

turning info from our eyes into usable form (perception)

how we from meaningful sentences to communicate (language)

Cognitive scientists know that internal processes can’t be observed , what is used to understand behaviours ?

inferences

What is a schema?

a mental framework of information that is used to organise experiences to interpret and respond to new stimuli

What happens to schemas as we age?

• become more sophisticated and complex

• develop more schemas to cover most situations

Rather than processing each detail , what do schemas allow us to do ?

provide expectations about the situation

How do schemas help ambiguous situations?

they “fill in the gaps” of information

Even if there is missing knowledge , what do schemas allow us to do ?

act comfortably in situations that may be complex - prevents overwhelming

What errors can schemas lead to?

information- processing such as prejudice and discrimination

What does the cognitive approach use to understand and explain Inferences about internal processes ?

models

What do theoretical models help depict ? Give an example of one

cognition in a simple, visual way

Multi Store Model

How do ‘computer models’ assist cognitivists?

apply same view of a human mind as a computer - models provide structure to the inferences draw about cognition

Give and example of a similarity between computers and the brain ?

the brain is the main operating hardware of the computer

How has the cognitive approach helped understand mental health conditions ?

• the role of negative self schemas in depression

• the role of cognitive biases in addiction

What behavioural therapies have emerged due to the approach?

CBT

treated depression and anxiety

How has CBT and other treatments derived from the cognitive approach , helped the economy ?

• people stay in work or return after being absent

How is the approach useful?

• used as a framework for developing cognitive treatments like CBT for depression

• relied on cognition as the cause of illness

• CBT aims to challenge negative schemas and irrational thoughts

• changing faulty thinking can improve person and hints to thought processes having the first say

• supports idea of cognitive primacy and practical applications increases the usefulness of the approach

A strength of the approach that relates to methods ?

• use of scientific methods like lab experiments and brain scanning

• objective and controlled measures

• Tulving used PET scans to determine types of long term memory and found that different types of memories were stored in different areas

• objective way of investigating memory - doens’t depend on self reports or interpretations

• data is empirical

• increases scientific credibility of the approach

What is another strength of the approach in terms of applicability ?

• has real world applications

• research into memory and misleading info - reduced used of EWT in courts , reformed police procedure eg cognitive interview

• better understanding of processes has helped development in treatments for depression ,a anxiety eg CBT

• approach Is professionals and has concrete contributions to society

What is a weakness of the approach ?

• computers different from human brains

• models assume tha all info is processed logically - ignores influences of instinct and emotion on behaviour - we make unconscious,hormonal or primitive decisions rather than conscious ones

• models and computer methods may not be valid way of understanding the brain

what does the approach assume ?

• internal mental processes should be studied scientifically

• studied behaviour that was neglected by behaviourists eg memory , perception