the approach that our mental processes such as thoughts, attention and perception effect our behaviour
these processes can and should be studied scientifically
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what is the theoretical model?
diagrams representing the steps involved in internal mental processes
can be used to test a hypothesis in research
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what is the computer model?
computer simulations of internal mental processes
Central processing unit = brain
Making information usable = coding
Stores to hold information
can be used to test a hypothesis in research
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what is a schema?
packages of information acting as a cognitive framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information.
they develop with experience
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3 assumptions of the cognitive approach
- Mental processes affect our behaviour
- Such processes are unobservable (E.g. decision making)
- Improvements in technology allow us to measure brain activity and develop knowledge about the brain/cognition
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what does inference mean in the context of the cognitive approach?
the process of drawing conclusions of what is going on inside the mind based on observed behaviour.
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what is the information processing model
(IPM)?
information flows through a system in a series of stages (e.g. the multi store memory model) rather than simply responding to stimuli
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what are the 3 steps to the IPM?
receives input
processes the information
delivers an output
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what is cognitive neuroscience?
the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes.
first seen in 19th century
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what did Broca identify in the 1860s?
that damage to an area of the frontal lobe (Broca's area) could permanently impair speech production.
first emergence of cognitive neuroscience
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what are FRMI and PET scans used for?
brain imaging techniques used to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes
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what did Buckner and Peterson find in 1996
episodic and semantic memory may be located on opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex
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what is an EEG and when was it created?
a test that measures and records the electrical activity of your brain. Special sensors are attached to your head and a computer records your brain's electrical activity.
1929
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what is an MRI scan and when was is it created?
a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.
1973
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what is a PET scan and when was it created?
scans are used to produce detailed three-dimensional images of the inside of the body.
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whats a strength of the cognitive approach?
credible scientific basis
One strength of the cognitive approach is it has always employed highly controlled and rigorous methods of study in order to enable researchers to infer cognitive processes at work.
This has involved the use of lab experiments t
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whats a weakness of the cognitive approach?
Cognitive psychology has a narrow focus on mental processes.
For example, the use of the computer analogy means that information processing researchers focus mostly on the logical aspects of cognitive processing and less on the emotional, creative and soc
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one strength and one weakness of schemas
strenth: allow information to be processed quickly and create predictions
weakness: can lead to interpretations being distorted for example in EWT (reporting expectation of an event rather than the truth)
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what did Braver et al discover in 1997
the possible location of the central executive (prefrontal cortext)
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outline the cognitive approach
(6 main points)
1. focuses on the examination of mental processes such as perception, memory,attention
2. cannot be studied directly and so are inferred of of observed behaviour
3. psychologists use theoretical and computer models to represent the complex conceptual proc
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
what is the theoretical model?
Back
diagrams representing the steps involved in internal mental processes
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