The Cognitive Approach

Cognitive Approach

The term ‘cognitive has come to mean ‘mental processes’, so this approach is focused on how our mental processes affect behaviour

Internal Mental Processes

‘Private operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response

Schema

* Mental framework of beliefs and explanations that influence cognitive processing.


* Developed from experience
* Enable us to process lots of information quickly which is useful as a mental shortcut to prevent being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli


* May distort interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual errors.

Theoretical Models

* Abstract models to help understand internal mental processes.
* Information processing approach suggests information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages, such as input, storage and retrieval.

Computer Models

* Concrete models that involve programming a computer to see if such instructions produce a similar output to humans
* Can suggest that similar processes are going on in the human mind
* Useful in development of AI

Inference

The process whereby cognitive psychologists draw conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour

Cognitive Neuroscience

The scientific study of those biological structures that underpin cognitive processes

Use of Brain Imaging Techniques

* Using fMRI and PET scans, scientists have been able to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes
* E.g. Brocas area in speech production or the link between the parahippocampal gyrus and OCD

Strength - Science

* Use controlled methods so they can infer cognitive processes at work.
* Involves the use of lab studies to produce reliable, objective data
* Emergence of cognitive neuroscience → enabled fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together to enhance the scientific basis of study.

Strength - Application

* The cognitive approach has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts.
* Made an important contribution to the field of artificial intelligence and the development of thinking machines
* Advances that may revolutionise how we live in the future.
* These principles have also been applied to the treatment of depression and improved the reliability of EWTs.

Limitation - Reductionism

* Computer analogy has been criticised
* Machine reductionism ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system and how that may affect our ability to process information
* E.g. Emotional stress may affect memory