The Cognitive Approach

Assumptions of the Cognitive Approach-

• Direct contrast to behaviourist approach, the cognitive approach argues that internal mental processes can, and should be studied scientifically.

• Cognitive approach investigated those areas of human behaviour that were neglected by behaviourists, such as memory, perception and thinking.

• Processes are ‘private’ and cannot be observed, so cognitive psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside peoples’ minds on the basis of their behaviour.

Theoretical and Computer Models-

• One way to study internal processes is through theoretical processes, An important theoretical model is the informative processing approach; this suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval.

• Cognitive approach also uses computer modules, where the mind is compared to a computer by suggesting that there are similarities in the way information is processed.

• Models use the concepts of a CPU (the brain), the concept of coding (to turn info into a usable format and the use of ‘stores’ to hold information.

The Role of Schema-

• Schema are ‘packages’ of information and ideas developed through experience. They act as mental framework for the interpretation of incoming information received by the cognitive system.

• Babies are born with a simple motor schema for innate behaviours such as sucking and grasping.

• As we age, our schema becomes more sophisticated. Adults have developed mental representations for everything, e.g. what happens in a restaurant.

• Schema enable us to process lots of information quickly and is useful as a sort of mental short-cut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.

• However, schemas may distort our interpretations of sensory information.

The Emergence of Cognitive Neuroscience-

• It’s the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes. Mapping brain areas to specific cognitive functions has a long history in psychology.

• Only in the last 20 years that advances in brain imaging techniques such as PET and fMRI scans, that scientists have been able to systemically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes.

• Scanning techniques have also been useful in establishing the neurological basis of some mental disorders.

• The focus of cognitive neuroscience has recently included the use of computer-generated models that are designed to ‘read’ the brain. This led to development of mind mapping techniques known as ‘brain fingerprinting’.