Discuss the cognitive approach and the emergence of cognitive neuroscience [16]
Cognitive approach main assumptions - investigating mental processes - not directly observable
have to infer from exp research
Developed in the 1950s. Argues that the internal processes should be studied scientifically.It
investigates the areas that were neglected by behaviourists. Cognitive psychologists make
inferences.
Schema - Packages of ideas that form a mental representation. They act as a mental shortcut to
prevent being overwhelmed. However, they could distort our interpretations of sensory information
Psychologists use theoretical and computer models to help their understanding
For example the information processing approach which suggests that information flows through the
system in a sequence of stages like the multi store model
Issues with the cognitive approach - machine reductionism, likening the brain to computers
The approach is based on machine reductionism. Machine reductionism breaks down mental
processes into the operations of a computer. This ignores the influence of emotion on the system
which could affect the ability to process information. For example, eyewitness testimonies that could
be affected by trauma. This weakens the validity of the results.
Difficulties with accessing mental processes using traditional methods - so scanning techniques
allow for more objectivity and reliability
This approach relies on inference of mental processes.This means that the results can suffer from
being too abstract and theoretical. Therefore the results lack external validity.
However, scanning techniques like fMRIs and PETs, which are used in cognitive neuroscience, allow
for more objectivity and reliability.
Cognitive neuroscience - mapping brain structures to mental processes - early work by Broca on
speech production, ‘Broca’s area’. Recent technological advances (MRI/fMRI, PET scans, EEG etc)
The scientific study of influences of brain structure on mental processes
1860- Broca frontal lobe = speech production
fMRI, PET scans - basis of mental processes
LTM prefrontal cortex
Cognitive neuroscience enables the linking of cognitive psychology with biology - more scientific
credibility
The emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled biology and cognitive psychology to link. This
enhances the scientific basis of psychology. Therefore cognitive neuroscience has scientific
credibility.
Useful applications of cognitive neuroscience e.g. investigating causes for OCD - work on
parahippocampal gyrus - investigated through scanning
Cognitive approach main assumptions - investigating mental processes - not directly observable
have to infer from exp research
Developed in the 1950s. Argues that the internal processes should be studied scientifically.It
investigates the areas that were neglected by behaviourists. Cognitive psychologists make
inferences.
Schema - Packages of ideas that form a mental representation. They act as a mental shortcut to
prevent being overwhelmed. However, they could distort our interpretations of sensory information
Psychologists use theoretical and computer models to help their understanding
For example the information processing approach which suggests that information flows through the
system in a sequence of stages like the multi store model
Issues with the cognitive approach - machine reductionism, likening the brain to computers
The approach is based on machine reductionism. Machine reductionism breaks down mental
processes into the operations of a computer. This ignores the influence of emotion on the system
which could affect the ability to process information. For example, eyewitness testimonies that could
be affected by trauma. This weakens the validity of the results.
Difficulties with accessing mental processes using traditional methods - so scanning techniques
allow for more objectivity and reliability
This approach relies on inference of mental processes.This means that the results can suffer from
being too abstract and theoretical. Therefore the results lack external validity.
However, scanning techniques like fMRIs and PETs, which are used in cognitive neuroscience, allow
for more objectivity and reliability.
Cognitive neuroscience - mapping brain structures to mental processes - early work by Broca on
speech production, ‘Broca’s area’. Recent technological advances (MRI/fMRI, PET scans, EEG etc)
The scientific study of influences of brain structure on mental processes
1860- Broca frontal lobe = speech production
fMRI, PET scans - basis of mental processes
LTM prefrontal cortex
Cognitive neuroscience enables the linking of cognitive psychology with biology - more scientific
credibility
The emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled biology and cognitive psychology to link. This
enhances the scientific basis of psychology. Therefore cognitive neuroscience has scientific
credibility.
Useful applications of cognitive neuroscience e.g. investigating causes for OCD - work on
parahippocampal gyrus - investigated through scanning
