The Cognitive Approach AND THE EMERGENCE OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

The Cognitive Approach AND THE EMERGENCE OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Starter Questions Answer in pairs on mini-whiteboards 1. The following statement refers to the cognitive approach. What does it mean: ‘Mediational processes occur between stimulus and response’ 2. If a person displays maladaptive (unhelpful) behaviour, what would this approach say is the cause? 3. The information processing approach suggests that the mind works like a computer. Draw a diagram to demonstrate how the mind could be considered similar to a computer 4. Cognitive psychologists use laboratory experiments to study thought processes, but they still have to rely on what to draw conclusions? 5. What does the term schema refer to? 6. The cognitive approach uses theoretical models. What does this mean? Give an example of a theoretical model that we have previously looked at 7. Cognitive neuroscience is a relatively new branch of cognitive psychology. What does it involve? 8. Give one example of a study that we have looked at in another topic that would count as an example of cognitive neuroscience

Starter Questions: Answers 1. The following statement refers to the cognitive approach. What does it mean: ‘Mediational processes occur between stimulus and response’ 2. If a person displays maladaptive (unhelpful) behaviour, what would this approach say is the cause? 3. The information processing approach suggests that the mind works like a computer. Draw a diagram to demonstrate how the mind could be considered similar to a computer 4. Cognitive psychologists use laboratory experiments to study thought processes, but they still have to rely on what to draw conclusions? 5. What does the term schema refer to? 6. The cognitive approach uses theoretical models. What does this mean? Give an example of a theoretical model that we have previously looked at 7. Cognitive neuroscience is a relatively new branch of cognitive psychology. What does it involve? 8. Give one example of a study that we have looked at in another topic that would count as an example of cognitive neuroscience 1. Cognition/thought process play a part in behaviour. Information is received from the environment, but how we process that information will influence the outcome 2. Their faulty thinking 3. Information goes in and is stored in the memory system (hard drive), processed by the brain (CPU) and retrieved when required (open file from location) 4. Inference. Which means they are not totally objective and scientific 5. A packet of information that the individual stores, based partly on past experience, about any particular thing or concept 6. A model is a theory about how something works. It doesn’t actually exist as a physical thing, e.g. the multi-store model of memory 7. It involves locating structures in the brain, through brain imaging techniques, that are responsible for certain functions 8. Tulving’s study on different areas of the brain being active

Exam practice Answer the following question individually on paper: In a lab study of problem-solving, cognitive Psychologists asked participants to solve problems presented in different colours of ink. They found that it took longer to solve problems presented in green ink. They inferred that the mental processing of problems is made more difficult when information is presented in green ink. Explain what is meant by inference referring to the above study (4 marks) Now Swap over with the person sitting next to you and allocate marks according to the guidance on the next slide

Exam practice: Mark Scheme 4 marks 2 marks outline, 2 marks application Define Inference Inference occurs when psychologists go beyond the immediate evidence (1 mark) to make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be observed. (1 mark) Apply to scenario In this lab study the Psychologist cannot observe the effect of the ink on mental processing so they used the observable evidence that participants took longer on the problems in green ink to infer that the ink is having an affect on processing (1 mark). The Psychologists then assume that it is more difficult to process information in green. (1 mark)

Schemas: A demonstration On the next slide you are going to see a short story, which you are going to read through once only When it has disappeared from the screen, you will write down everything you can remember about the story Ready?

Schemas: A demonstration Peter is married to Angela and they have three children. Sam works as a Peter is married to Angela and theyjob have children. works as a builder and Peter has a part-time in three a bakery. Their Sam children, Harry, builder has a part-time jobstudying in a bakery. TheirAchildren, Harry, Matty and and Peter Simone are all at school for their levels. Matty Matty Simone at school studying A levels. Matty in says and he wants to are be aall pilot when he grows for up. their Simone is interested says he wants to be a pilot when he grows Simone Harry is interested in studying architecture at the University ofup. Yorkshire. has always studying at the University HarryThe hasfamily alwayslive wanted architecture to be a hairdresser ever since of heYorkshire. was very little. wanted to be a hairdresser ever since he their was very little. live in a little village called Kamptown with three dogsThe andfamily one cat. inRover a little villagehis called with their three dogs and cat. Joe injured pawKamptown recently and is not allowed out of theone house. Rover andfor is not allowedand out the of the house. Joe takesinjured him tohis thepaw vet recently every week a check-up doctor is very takes him tothat the he vetwill every week for aon check-up and the doctor is very confident soon be back his feet. The family plan to take a confident that he will soon be back on his feet. The family plan to takewill a holiday to France in the Summer, but they are concerned about who holiday to France the Summer, butin they are concerned about who look after Hazel.inThey have a villa Marbella with a pond that thewill look after Hazel. Theyin. have a villa in Marbella with a pond that the children like to play children like to play in.

Schemas: A demonstration Peter is married to Angela and they have three Peter is married to Angela theyand have three children. Sam works as aand builder Peter has children. Sam works as a builder and Peter has a part-time job in a bakery. Their children, a Harry, part-time joband in aSimone bakery.are Their children, Matty all at school Harry, Matty and Simone are all at school studying for their A levels. Matty says he wants studying for their A levels. Matty he wants to be a pilot when he grows up. says Simone is to be a pilot when he grows up. Simone is Answer the following interested in studying architecture at the interested inof studying architecture the University Yorkshire. Harry hasat always questions: Can yousince thinkhe of was University Yorkshire. Harry has always eful toofbe s wanted a hairdresser ever u e b a hairdresser ever since he wascalled s can wanted a examples (tryvillage to link e to beThe m s i e very little. family live in a little n h a g Sc r o little. family live inprevious adogs littleand village called ing us very to topics) t The p What parts of the story didnyou l Kamptown with their three one cat. a e h h w i t u b , Kamptown with their three dogs and one cat. n o i s Rover his paw recently is not allowed of howand schemas ainjured change? Why do you thinkinyou format ayRover heminjured c s his paw andtoisthe notvet allowed out o of the house. Joerecently takes him every sm may be problematic, m t e u changed them? l b b o a pr out of the house. Joe takes him to the vet every k Thin week for a check-up and the doctor is very ? o and how knowledge t d a e What parts of the story did you le miss weweek for a check-up and the doctor is very v a hconfident that he will soon be back on his feet. t a h of them has been w confident that he will soon be back on his feet. d te family plan to take a holiday to France out? Why do you think you missed onstraThe in the m e useful? d The family plan to take a holiday to France in them out? Summer, but they are concerned about who the will Summer, but they are concerned about who will look after Hazel. They have a villa in Marbella look after Hazel. have a villa with a pond thatThey the children like in toMarbella play in. with a pond that the children like to play in. Now look at the original story on the right and compare it with what you wrote down in your pairs

Schemas: Links to the topics Look at the pictures below. Which of these men do you think is a serial killer? Decide in pairs and write your answer down on a MWB and have a reason for your choice A B ey are In fcatc, tt,htehy areers fa serial kill In a ll rial killers l l a se C D E If we witnessed a crime and had to give a description of the person responsible, our schema for what a criminal looks like, for example, may influence what we

Schemas: Links to the topics How might gender schemas influence children’s behaviour? In pairs, on MWBs, write what each child’s thought process is likely to be in relation to the toys in the middle Dolls are for girls I am a girl The doll is for me Gender Gender schema schema theory theory suggests suggests that that this this is is how how gender gender role role behaviours behaviours develop. develop. We We will will cover cover this this in in more more detail detail next next year year Trains are for boys I am a boy The train is for me

Schemas: Links to the topics Remember Beck’s negative triad? It relates to negative self-schemas. How has knowledge of negative self-schemas been useful? Negative thoughts about one’s self Negative thoughts about one’s situation Negative thoughts about one’s future ohtehe t d e l o tnt of It ahsalsed tm p enet of les om It h l e v e d p ch enalb i enab etsive devTe,lo hh w CTB, whicith negtaive ga CBhose iw t se w th hneematsoto tho self-shcemastheir selcf-hsacllegnege eirefs h t lifs n ble chaellgeative e i ngative be ne

Exam Practice Answer the following question individually without notes: We use schema when we process information from the world around us. Explain one reason why using schema might be useful when processing information from the world around us, and explain one reason why using schema might not be useful when processing information from the world around us. (4 marks) Now swap with the person sitting next to you and award marks according to the guidance on the next slide

Exam Practice: Mark Scheme Possible content (first part): schema help us predict what will happen in our world based on our experiences one mark for schema enable us to process vast amounts of information rapidly Award Award onebut mark for a relevant brief a relevant brief schema prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by point, and a but further point, a further markand for clear environmental stimuli mark for clear elaboration Possible content (second part): elaboration schema can distort our interpretation of sensory information schema lead to perceptual errors or inaccurate EWT / memories schema can cause biased recall / see what we expect negative / faulty schema may have a negative impact on mental health

The emergence of Cognitive Neuroscience In pairs on MWBs: Which two approaches combine to form cognitive neuroscience? The cognitive approach and the biological approach What techniques are used to acquire information about the brain? Scanning techniques, e.g. PET scans and FMRIs What problem associated with the cognitive approach does cognitive neuroscience overcome? The problem of inference. Cognitive neuroscience is more scientific than the cognitive approach because it can pinpoint areas of the brain that are involved in certain through processes, without having to rely on inference

The emergence of Cognitive Neuroscience Watch the clips to understand more about how cognitive neuroscience works (6.40 – 7.33 & 14.39 – 15.56)

Exam Practice Answer the following question individually without notes: Outline key features of the cognitive approach in psychology (6 marks) Award marks to your own answer using the guidance on the following slide

Exam Practice: Mark Scheme Possible content: Thought, both conscious and unconscious can influence behaviour; thought mediates between stimulus and response; information processing approach; mind works similarly to a computer; use of models; mental processes can be scientifically studied; the human mind actively processes information Example answer: Behaviour can be largely explained through internal mental processes. Thought, both conscious and unconscious is the mediational process between stimulus and response that can influence behavior (1 mark). The information processing approach suggests the mind works in a way similar to a computer, inputting, storing and retrieving data (1 mark). The approach believes that mental processes can be scientifically studied using laboratory experiments (1 mark), although inference has to play a part in in process, as we cannot directly study what goes on inside someone’s head (1 mark). Central to the approach is the idea that schemas influence behaviour. These are mental structures that contain knowledge about a particular object or concept that help us to organise the information in our world (1 mark). The cognitive approach uses theoretical models to explain how thought processes work (1 mark)

The cognitive approach: Evaluation Have a go at completing the worksheet in pairs

The cognitive approach Evaluation: Guidance The cognitive approach has had useful applications. For example The cognitive approach has been able to explain the link between faulty thinking and mental disorders which has led to successful treatment, e.g. CBT Also. In the area of EWT, it has helped us to understand how thought processes may lead to inaccuracies of memory, which has led to improvements in police interviewing techniques, reducing the possibility of wrongful conviction This means that the approach has led to real practical benefits for both the individual and society

The cognitive approach Evaluation: Guidance The approach can be considered scientific. This is because It uses the experimental method and therefore tests theories under controlled conditions, allowing us to draw causal conclusions about the role of thought processes in behaviour However, the scientific validity of the approach can be questioned because It still relies on inference, as it is not possible to observe what goes on inside people’s heads. This means that the approach is not wholly objective This issue has been partially resolved by The development of cognitive neuroscience, which means through advances in brain scanning techniques, we now have the ability to directly observe processes in the brain

The cognitive approach Evaluation: Guidance The approach is guilty of machine reductionism. This is because it Attempts to liken the human mind to a computer. This could be seen as an unsophisticated analogy, as the human brain is far more complex than a computer This is because human behaviour can influenced by Emotion and motivation, which is ignored when using the computer analogy Meaning that the approach is too simplistic to Fully explain all of the factors that are involved in human behaviour and is therefore an incomplete explanation