The Cognitive Approach
Cognitive psychologists look at internal mental processes to understand behaviour.
Internal mental processes: Processes that occur internally, such as thinking, feeling, memory
etc.
Inference: When you reach a logical conclusion about what is happening to information in the
brain by observing an individual’s behaviour.
Psychologists must make inferences because they can’t directly observe mental processes.
The Role of Schemas
A schema is a cognitive framework that helps us organise and interpret information in the brain.
For example, we have schemas for specific events such as how to behave in different situations.
e.g., in a restaurant or classroom
Schemas are useful to us because they allow us to take shortcuts when interpreting the huge
amount of information we deal with daily.
However, schemas can also cause us to exclude anything that doesn’t conform to our
established beliefs about the world, leading us to focus instead on things that confirm our pre-
existing beliefs or ideas.
For example, if we classify someone as ‘old’ who sits next to us on the bus, our schemas might
tell us what to expect and we act accordingly. We might learn from our schema that someone
‘old’ doesn’t have anything in common with us so we do not interact with them, regardless of how
stimulating their company may actually be.
A consequence of this is that we may develop stereotypes that are difficult to disconfirm, even
when we are faced with new information that conflicts with our pre-existing ideals.
Pros of Schemas Cons of Schemas
- Helps us process information quickly – - We develop stereotypes
shortcuts - Can lead to bias thinking
- Helps us make predictions - Can lead to inaccurate memories e.g.,
- Prevents us becoming too in eye-witness testimonies
overwhelmed with too much - Negative self-schemas can lead to
environmental stimuli depression
Theoretical and computer models are proposed by cognitive psychologists to attempt to explain
internal mental processes.
Theoretical Models:
Diagrammatic representations of the steps involved in internal mental processes (such as the
working memory model).
Theoretical models suggest that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of
stages. (includes how we input, store and retrieve information)
, Computer Models:
Software simulations of internal mental processes that are created in collaboration with
computer scientists.
Computer models compare the processes in the brain to those in a computer.
For example, ‘the working memory model’ is often compared to computers:
RAM (Random Access Memory) = Short term memory
Hard Drive = Long term memory
The Emergence of Cognitive Neuroscience – the scientific study of brain structures that support
our mental processes
The rapid advances in brain imaging techniques in the 20th century have meant that
neuroscientists are now able to systematically and scientifically observe the brain. For
example, through FMRI’s and PET scans.
This means scientists can understand more about the brain and see which parts of the brain are
active / associated with certain emotions and activities.
Non-invasive: Doesn’t physically go inside
Practical Applications of Cognitive Neuroscience
- Use of scanning/imaging techniques e.g., to locate different types of memory in different
areas of the brain leading to treatment for memory problems
- Use of scanning/imaging techniques to study mental processing in patients with
depression or OCD or in children with autism or dyslexia.
- Use of imaging techniques and angiography to study the effects of normal ageing on the
brain or to observe the effects of stroke on the brain.
- Use of computer simulations/computational modelling to test theories or hypotheses
about mental processes such as attention, memory, problem solving etc.
Point Evidence Conclusion
A limitation of the cognitive While there are Thus, the cognitive
approach is that it relies on similarities between the approach has been labelled
computer models to human mind and as reductionist, as it
explain complex human computers, such as people breaks down the human
behaviours. having long term memory mind to a simpler level of
and computers having hard explanation but in doing so
drives, the computer ignores higher levels of
analogy has been criticised explanations and how this
for machine reductionism, may also affect our ability
which ignores the to process information.
influence of human
Cognitive psychologists look at internal mental processes to understand behaviour.
Internal mental processes: Processes that occur internally, such as thinking, feeling, memory
etc.
Inference: When you reach a logical conclusion about what is happening to information in the
brain by observing an individual’s behaviour.
Psychologists must make inferences because they can’t directly observe mental processes.
The Role of Schemas
A schema is a cognitive framework that helps us organise and interpret information in the brain.
For example, we have schemas for specific events such as how to behave in different situations.
e.g., in a restaurant or classroom
Schemas are useful to us because they allow us to take shortcuts when interpreting the huge
amount of information we deal with daily.
However, schemas can also cause us to exclude anything that doesn’t conform to our
established beliefs about the world, leading us to focus instead on things that confirm our pre-
existing beliefs or ideas.
For example, if we classify someone as ‘old’ who sits next to us on the bus, our schemas might
tell us what to expect and we act accordingly. We might learn from our schema that someone
‘old’ doesn’t have anything in common with us so we do not interact with them, regardless of how
stimulating their company may actually be.
A consequence of this is that we may develop stereotypes that are difficult to disconfirm, even
when we are faced with new information that conflicts with our pre-existing ideals.
Pros of Schemas Cons of Schemas
- Helps us process information quickly – - We develop stereotypes
shortcuts - Can lead to bias thinking
- Helps us make predictions - Can lead to inaccurate memories e.g.,
- Prevents us becoming too in eye-witness testimonies
overwhelmed with too much - Negative self-schemas can lead to
environmental stimuli depression
Theoretical and computer models are proposed by cognitive psychologists to attempt to explain
internal mental processes.
Theoretical Models:
Diagrammatic representations of the steps involved in internal mental processes (such as the
working memory model).
Theoretical models suggest that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of
stages. (includes how we input, store and retrieve information)
, Computer Models:
Software simulations of internal mental processes that are created in collaboration with
computer scientists.
Computer models compare the processes in the brain to those in a computer.
For example, ‘the working memory model’ is often compared to computers:
RAM (Random Access Memory) = Short term memory
Hard Drive = Long term memory
The Emergence of Cognitive Neuroscience – the scientific study of brain structures that support
our mental processes
The rapid advances in brain imaging techniques in the 20th century have meant that
neuroscientists are now able to systematically and scientifically observe the brain. For
example, through FMRI’s and PET scans.
This means scientists can understand more about the brain and see which parts of the brain are
active / associated with certain emotions and activities.
Non-invasive: Doesn’t physically go inside
Practical Applications of Cognitive Neuroscience
- Use of scanning/imaging techniques e.g., to locate different types of memory in different
areas of the brain leading to treatment for memory problems
- Use of scanning/imaging techniques to study mental processing in patients with
depression or OCD or in children with autism or dyslexia.
- Use of imaging techniques and angiography to study the effects of normal ageing on the
brain or to observe the effects of stroke on the brain.
- Use of computer simulations/computational modelling to test theories or hypotheses
about mental processes such as attention, memory, problem solving etc.
Point Evidence Conclusion
A limitation of the cognitive While there are Thus, the cognitive
approach is that it relies on similarities between the approach has been labelled
computer models to human mind and as reductionist, as it
explain complex human computers, such as people breaks down the human
behaviours. having long term memory mind to a simpler level of
and computers having hard explanation but in doing so
drives, the computer ignores higher levels of
analogy has been criticised explanations and how this
for machine reductionism, may also affect our ability
which ignores the to process information.
influence of human
