The Cognitive Approach - Notes

The Cognitive Approach

Focus of the Cognitive Approach:
- language
- attention
- perception
- reasoning
- memory

Behaviour is explained through the internal mental processes acting on stimuli to
produce a response


Syllabus: The Cognitive Approach:
• the study of internal mental processes
• the role of shcema
• the use of theoretical and computer models to explain mental processes and
make inferences about mental processes
• the emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Main Assumptions of the Cognitive Approach:
- The Study of Internal Mental Processes: thought acts as mediational processes
between stimulus and behavioural response so in order to understand behaviour
we have to understand the the internal processes of our mind that govern our
actions. Sensory information enters the mind (stimulus), is actively mediated by
motivation, belief, perception, thinking, memory, problem solving (mental
processes), and then behaviour occurs (response)

A Schema:
a schema= a ‘package’ of beliefs and expectations on a topic that came from prior
experience
a schema will affect behaviour
they are built up as we grow
represents our stereotypes (negative)