1. The Cognitive Approach

2. Your Homework plus missing class work
To complete the comparison sheet using the information you have about the cognitive Approach.
To create a timeline for psychology starting in 1879 to the present day. You should add the behaviourists and also the biological and cognitive approach to this with a separate area for cognitive neuroscience.
There should be plenty of the space on the timeline to include further information and it can be done electronically – just bring some evidence next lesson.

3. The Cognitive Approach
This approach explains human behaviour in terms of brain processes.
The mind is compared to a computer and humans are treated as information processors.
Uses theoretical models as thinking cannot be directly observed.
Uses computer models to show features of the human mind. This is when computers programmes are created to model and represent an aspect of human cognition.

4. The cognitive approach assumes:
The mind actively processes information from our senses (touch, taste etc.).
Between stimulus and response are complex mental processes, which can be studied scientifically.
Humans can be seen as data processing systems.
The workings of a computer and the human mind are alike – they encode and store information, and they have outputs.

5. Computer model Computer Human
Input via a key board or voice recognition software
Processing
Output to the monitor

6. Research methods used
The cognitive approach favours the laboratory experiment.
Give one example of a laboratory experiment.
Give one strength and one weakness of this research method.
The cognitive approach sometimes uses case studies of unusual cases to find out how deficits in the brain influence cognitive processes
Give one example of a case study that has looked into cognitive processes.
Find one strength and one weakness of the case study method.

7. The Role of Schema
A schema is a unit of information about and object, action or concept, built up through experience.
The idea is that schema’s are innate processes but are filled in over time.
When new information is consistent with existing schemas the new information is assimilated into existing schemas.
When new information is inconsistent with existing schemas, the schema needs to change to accommodate the new information.

8. Extension Task Different types of schemas
Role schema – Ideas about the behaviour expected from someone with a certain role.
Give an example of a role schema
Event schema – A script containing information of what happens in a certain situation.
Give an example of an event schema
Self schema - Information about ourselves based on our characteristics, beliefs and values.
Give an example of a self schema.

9. Homework
Complete page 5-7 of your cognitive workbook for homework.

10. Research into Schema Bartlett’s War of the Ghosts
Read the War of the Ghosts story
Using the links or books outline the findings, conclusions and evaluation of this study
Make sure you have at least two ways the story was changed.
Bartlett gave this to English participants.
They were asked to recall the story after different periods of time.
The participants changed the story to fit into their own schemas. The details became more like an English story. They used their own experience to interpret and recall information from the story.
Find some examples of how the story was changed?
Evaluation of the study – In keeping with the cognitive approach this was a laboratory study. The participants would be aware they would need to recall information from the story and so their recall may not reflect real life recall.

11. Quiz What is a schema? Identify three different types of schema
What does the cognitive approach identify the brain as?
How does the cognitive approach differ from traditional learning theory approach.
How does Bandura explain cognitive processes in terms of SLT?

12. Objectives
To be able to outline how the cognitive approach uses theoretical models to explain human information processing.
To be able outline the differences between cognitive approach and cognitive neuroscience.
To outline research into cognitive neuroscience
Evaluate the approach

13. Theoretical Models
The cognitive approach uses theoretical models to explain how information processing takes place.
One example of a theoretical model is the multi store model of memory.
Based on research we can infer that the memory system is not one single system but there are different stores.
This comes from research into people who have suffered different types of amnesia.
Sometimes the STM is affected and sometimes it is the LTM – suggesting they must be different stores.

14. The Cognitive Approach
Cognitive Neuroscience
The focus is on the biology behind the thinking
Maps human behaviour to brain function
Use methods such as brain scanning and brain lesioning
1970’s
Cognitive Psychology
The focus is on the thinking
Explain behaviour by looking at processes such as perception, memory and attention
Use methods such as experiments
1950’s

15. Research brain scanning techniques
You should include the techniques used.
You could choose – PET, fMRI and MRI
Link the technique to a piece of research and the emergence of cognitive neuroscience.

16. Use the booklet to evaluate this approach
Also complete the handout on evaluation.
Choose three evaluation points to include in your notes for revision.
4 as an extension