The Cognitive Approach

Focuses on perception, interpretation, storage + manipulation of info by studying internal mental processes to understand behaviour. 

Assumes thought proceses should be studied scientifically through lab studies. Sees mind work similar to computer - most cognitive psychology referring to information processing model + metaphors eg encoding, processing + retrieval. Used to explain what occurs in human brain.

As cognitive processes not visible to be tested directly, must be studied indirectly through making inferences about results gained from observing behaviour.

Cognitive framework - represents ideas + expectations person holds about person/situation. Form through experience - aid in making future predictions of events/situations, unique to each individual. Helps organise + interpret info in brain.

See world dependent on own experiences - own version of reality created through influences from schemas. Allow us to make shortcuts when interpreting large amount of info deal w/ on daily basis.

Allow us to fill in gaps when info lacking based on past experiences - may exclude anything that doesn't conform to established expectations/ideas about world. Can be problematic as schemas can cause people to focus on thing that confirm pre-existing beliefs + ideas rather than allow us to accept new ones.

Recall, memory + perception may be influenced by schemas as "see what we want to see", may remember biased/select versions of events

TMs eg MSM + WMM - created to understand how cognitive processes work in formation of memories. Provide scientific means to test ideas + make predictions - simplified versions based on research evidence - make inferences on mental rpocesses which can't be directly tested. Provide illustrative way to display diff memory stores, cause + effect + how mental processes occur in linear way between diff stores.

Assume mind works similar to computer through processing steps eg 3 step process involving input, processing + output. Computer programming - allows us to make inferences on how human mind may work in similar way, comparisons drawn between how we receive info using computer related terminology, e LTM - hard drive + RAM - working memory + temp workspace.

Models provide means to test individual elements; when results don't fit w/ model, can be easily changed/updated.

Advancement of tech -> emergence of CN. Allows researchers to study living brain, gives detailed info on brain structures involved in diff kinds of mental processing (CN). Uses brain scanning technologies when studying cognitive processes involved in memory + attention giving detailed info about which brain structures involved in diff mental processing. 

Neuroimaging techniques eg PET scabs + fMRI highlight diff parts of brain as active when engaging in cognitive activities - test memory, perception, attention + emotions.

Patients suddering from brain damage may also be used to take part in cognitive tasks whilst undergoing scans to see how brain reacts. When compared to "normal" people + their brain funcitoning, pattern of brain activity + diffs can help make inferences on how cognitive processes function normally.

Burnett et al (2009) - found when people feel guilty, several brain regions are active inc medial prefrontal cortex, which is associated w/ social emotions. 

Has been applied to other areas of psych. Social psych, research in social cognition helped psychologists better understand how we form impressions of other people, errors + biases that influence interpretation of other causes of behaviour. Cognitive approach to psychopathology been used to explain how much of dysfunctional behaviour traced back to faulty thinking processes -> successful treatment of ppl w/ eg depression + OCD - CBT.

Scientific. Use of experimental method provides researchers w/ rigorous method for collecting + evaluating evidence to reach accurate conclusions on how mind works. Means conclusions based on more than common sense + introspection, which can be misleading. 

Uses computer models to explain human coding. Eg, terms such as 'encoding' borrowed directly from computing field. Diff between info processing takes place w/in computer programme + w/in human mind. Computers don't make mistakes or ignore available info/forget anything stored in hard drives, humans do. 

Doesn't say why cognitive processes take place. Role of motivation + emotion ignored (behavioural approaches also ignore cognitive). Lack of focus on motivational states may be explained by over-dependence on info processing analogies, motivation clearly irrelevent to computer, but not human.

Studies may lack ecological validity. Little in common w/ people's everyday lives. Tend to be in lab settings, use artificial materials etc. Unlikely to be able to generalise findings to real life situations. Fails to reflect behaviours that occur in real life settings (lack of ecological validity).