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APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY COGNITIVE APPROACH - Coggle Diagram
APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY
COGNITIVE APPROACH
A01
The use of theoretical models when describing and explaining mental processes
The information processing approach suggests that information flows through a sequence of stages that include input, storage + retrieval, as in the multi-store model
The idea of the schema is central to the cognitive approach
Schemas are packages of information developed through experiences
They act as a 'mental framework' for the interpretation of incoming information received by the cognitive system
Babies are born with simple motor schema for innate behaviors such as sucking and grasping
As we get older, our schema become more detailed + sophisticated
The role of interference in the study of mental processes
Mental processes are private and cannot be observed, so cognitive psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences (assumptions) about what is going on inside people's heads on the basis of their behaviour
The emergence of cognitive neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the influence of brain structures (neuro) on mental processes (cognition)
With advances in brain scanning technology in the last 20 years, scientists have been able to describe the neurological basis of mental processing
This includes research in memory that has linked episodic + semantic memories to opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex in the brain
Scanning techniques have also proved useful in establishing the neurological basis of some disorders e.g., OCD
The scientific study of mental processes
In direct contrast to the behaviorist approach, the cognitive approach argues that mental processes should be studied, e.g. studying perception and memory
ACRONYM
C
omputer models
I
nference
T
heoretical models
I
nternal mental proceses
E
mergence of cognitive neuroscience
S
chema
CITIES
A03
THE APPROACH IS BASED ON MACHINE REDUCTIONISM
Although there are similarities between the operations of the human mind + a computer, (inputs, outputs, central processor, storage systems), the computer analogy has been criticized.
For instance, human emotion + motivation have been show to influence accuracy of recall e.g., in eyewitness accounts. These factors are not considered within the information-processing model
Therefore, the cognitive approach oversimplifies human cognitive processing and ignores important aspects that influence performance
THE RESEARCH ON THE APPROACH LACK EXTERNAL VALIDITY
Also, research is often carried out using artificial stimuli, such as recall of word lists in studies of memory which may not represent everyday experience
Therefore, research into cognitive processes may lack external validity
Cognitive psychologists are only able to infer mental processes from the behaviour they observe, so the approach sometimes suffers from being too abstract and theoretical
THE APPROACH USES SCIENTIFIC + OBJECTIVE METHODS
This has enabled the 2 fields of psychology to come together (cognitive neuroscience)
This means that the study of the mind has established a credible, scientific basis
Cognitive psychologists have always employed controlled + rigorous methods of study, e.g., ;ab studies, in order to infer cognitive processes at work
THE APPROACH HAS APPLICATION TO EVERYDAY LIFE
For instance, the approach has made an important contribution to the field of artificial intelligence + the development of robots
These exciting advances are likely to revolutionise how we live in the future
The cognitive approach is dominant in psychology today + has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts