The Cognitive Approach In Psychology -Model Answers
OUTLINE WHAT IS MEANT BY COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE.(4 MARKS)
Model Answer
Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific investigation of the brain's neurological structures, mechanisms, processes, and chemistry that underlie cognitive, mental, and thinking processes. This interdisciplinary field integrates principles from neuroscience, psychology, and other related disciplines to understand how the brain functions in generating thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Researchers in cognitive neuroscience employ advanced imaging techniques, such as fMRI and EEG, to observe and measure brain activity associated with various cognitive functions. By exploring the neural basis of perception, memory, language, and decision-making, cognitive neuroscience seeks to unravel the intricacies of the mind-brain relationship. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance our understanding of the biological foundations of cognition and inform treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN ONE STRENGTH OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH IN PSYCHOLOGY. ( 2 MARKS)
Model Answer
One strength of the cognitive approach in psychology lies in its real-life applications, particularly its substantial contributions to the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Cognitive psychology's emphasis on understanding mental processes, information processing, and problem-solving has significantly influenced the development of AI algorithms and models. By modelling human cognition, cognitive psychology has played a pivotal role in creating intelligent systems capable of tasks such as language processing, pattern recognition, and decision-making.
EXPLAIN ONE ASSUMPTION OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH.( 3 MARKS)
Model Answer
One assumption of the cognitive approach is that psychology should primarily focus on the study of internal mental processes, such as memory and perception. This perspective asserts that understanding these mental processes is crucial for comprehending human behaviour. By emphasising the significance of cognitive functions, the cognitive approach highlights the role of information processing and mental representations in shaping how individuals perceive, remember, and respond to the world around them.
EXPLAIN ONE LIMITATION OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH.( 3 MARKS)
Model Answer
A limitation of the cognitive approach is its reliance on inference, which introduces subjectivity into the interpretation of mental processes. Since cognitive psychologists often infer internal cognitive processes based on external behaviour, there is a potential for misinterpretation and a lack of objectivity. Unlike observable behaviours, cognitive processes are not directly measurable, making it challenging to draw definitive conclusions without a degree of speculation.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A FEATURE OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH IN PSYCHOLOGY? ( 1 MARK)
SHADE ONE CIRCLE ONLY.
Model Answer
B
BRIEFLY OUTLINE ONE LIMITATION OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH IN PSYCHOLOGY. ( 1 MARK)
Model Answer
One limitation of the cognitive approach in psychology is its over-reliance on computer models, which may oversimplify the complexity of human cognition and behaviour.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE COGNITIVE APPROACH IS FALSE? ( 1 MARK)
SHADE ONE BOX ONLY.
Model Answer
C Mental processes are studied directly by making inferences
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)
Model Answer
Using schema can be useful when processing information as it helps us predict what will happen in our world based on our past experiences. By relying on these mental frameworks, we can efficiently interpret and respond to familiar situations, making cognitive processing more streamlined. However, schema can also be a limitation because it can lead to biased recall, causing individuals to perceive or remember information in a way that aligns with their expectations rather than objective reality. This bias may result in inaccuracies and misinterpretations of new or unexpected information.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES THE AIM OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE?
SHADE ONE BOX ONLY. ( 1 MARK)
Model Answer
A
ADIL HAS JUST STARTED STUDYING THE COGNITIVE APPROACH IN PSYCHOLOGY BUT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHEN HIS TEACHER TELLS HIM THAT COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGISTS USE THE RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS TO MAKE INFERENCES ABOUT BEHAVIOUR.
WRITE A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF INFERENCE THAT WOULD HELP ADIL TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HIS TEACHER MEANS.( 2 MARKS)
Model Answer
When Adil's teacher mentions that cognitive psychologists use the results of experiments to make inferences about behaviour, it means they are drawing conclusions or making assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed. Essentially, cognitive psychologists go beyond the immediate research evidence to make educated guesses about how the mind processes information.
OUTLINE TWO FEATURES OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH. EXPLAIN TWO LIMITATIONS OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH.
(TOTAL 8 MARKS)
Model Answer
The cognitive approach in psychology highlights two key features. Firstly, it underscores that behaviour is intricately influenced by thoughts, which can manifest in both conscious and non-conscious forms. This perspective emphasises the significance of internal mental processes in shaping how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to their surroundings.
Secondly, the cognitive approach introduces the concept of schema, which are mental representations of experience, knowledge, and understanding. These schema act as cognitive frameworks, aiding individuals in organising and interpreting information by utilising pre-existing knowledge to process new experiences more efficiently.
However, the cognitive approach is not without its limitations. One drawback lies in its mechanical perspective, likening human thinking to the processing of a computer. This comparison may oversimplify the complexities of human cognition, potentially neglecting the emotional and irrational dimensions of behaviour often observed in real-life situations.
Additionally, the approach's emphasis on controlled experiments and detailed recall in laboratory settings raises concerns about its applicability to everyday memory use. The focus on specific, controlled environments may limit the generalizability of findings, as cognitive processes in natural, dynamic settings may vary significantly from those observed in carefully orchestrated experiments.
READ THE ITEM AND THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT FOLLOWS.
PSYCHOLOGISTS INVESTIGATING THEORETICAL MODELS OF COGNITIVE PROCESSING STUDY HUMAN COGNITIVE PROCESSING. THEY SOMETIMES GIVE PARTICIPANTS PROBLEMS TO SOLVE THEN ASK THEM ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE AFTERWARDS. TYPICAL PARTICIPANT RESPONSES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
RESPONSE A: ‘THERE WERE TOO MANY THINGS TO THINK ABOUT AT THE SAME TIME.’
RESPONSE B: ‘I HAD TO DO ONE TASK AT A TIME, THEN DO THE NEXT TASK, AND SO ON.’
BRIEFLY SUGGEST HOW EACH OF THESE RESPONSES MIGHT INFORM PSYCHOLOGISTS INVESTIGATING MODELS OF HUMAN COGNITIVE PROCESSING. ( 2 MARKS)
Model Answer
Response A- where the participant mentions, 'There were too many things to think about at the same time,' could inform psychologists that cognitive processing is limited in capacity, especially when individuals are engaged in demanding or novel tasks. This response suggests that attempting to process multiple elements simultaneously may overwhelm cognitive resources.
Response B- Stating, 'I had to do one task at a time, then do the next task, and so on,' informs psychologists that cognitive processing, particularly in demanding or novel tasks, tends to be sequential. This suggests that individuals may approach complex problems by breaking them down into a series of sequential steps, providing insights into the cognitive strategies employed during such tasks.
READ THE ITEM AND THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT FOLLOWS.
IN A LABORATORY 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, THAN IT DID TO SOLVE PROBLEMS PRESENTED IN OTHER COLOURS. THEY INFERRED THAT THE MENTAL PROCESSING OF PROBLEMS IS MADE MORE DIFFICULT WHEN A PROBLEM IS PRESENTED IN GREEN INK.
EXPLAIN WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘INFERENCE’ IN RELATION TO THIS STUDY. ( 2 MARKS)
Model Answer
In the context of this study, inference refers to the cognitive psychologists going beyond the immediate evidence, which is the time taken to solve problems in different ink colours, to make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed. Specifically, they infer that the mental processing of problems becomes more difficult when presented in green ink, based on the observed longer time participants took to solve problems in this particular colour compared to others.
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN ONE STRENGTH AND ONE LIMITATION OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH IN PSYCHOLOGY. ( 4 MARKS)
Model Answer
One strength of the cognitive approach in psychology is its emphasis on control and objectivity in research. By employing rigorous experimental methods and precise measurements, cognitive psychologists can establish causal relationships and draw reliable conclusions about mental processes.
However, a limitation of this approach is that it still necessitates making inferences about cognitive processes, as these processes are not directly observable. This reliance on inference introduces the potential for subjective interpretations and may limit the certainty of conclusions drawn from experimental findings.
OUTLINE WHAT IS MEANT BY COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND DESCRIBE ONE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE.( 6 MARKS)
Model Answer
Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of brain and neurological structures, specifically those responsible for cognitive, mental, and thinking processes. This interdisciplinary field employs advanced scanning and imaging techniques, such as fMRI and PET scans, to investigate the neural substrates underlying various cognitive functions.
One practical application of cognitive neuroscience involves using these techniques to locate different types of memory in distinct areas of the brain. By mapping the specific brain regions associated with memory processes, cognitive neuroscientists can develop targeted interventions for memory-related issues. This application demonstrates the utility of cognitive neuroscience in not only understanding but also potentially treating cognitive challenges through precise neural interventions.
GIVE TWO ASSUMPTIONS OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH. FOR EACH ASSUMPTION, ILLUSTRATE YOUR ANSWER WITH REFERENCE TO A TOPIC IN PSYCHOLOGY. USE A DIFFERENT TOPIC FOR EACH ASSUMPTION.( 4 MARKS)
Model Answer
The cognitive approach in psychology operates on two key assumptions. Firstly, it posits that thought acts as mediating processes between stimuli and behavioural responses. For instance, in the context of depression, this assumption is evident in the understanding of how distorted thoughts and interpretations mediate the relationship between negative life events (stimuli) and the manifestation of depressive behaviours.
Secondly, the cognitive approach asserts that mental processes can be regarded as information processing, drawing an analogy between the mind and a computer. This concept is illustrated when examining memory. Cognitive psychologists view memory as an information processing system, where the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information mirror the input, processing, and output functions of a computer. This analogy aids in comprehending how the mind organizes and manages information, providing insights into the intricacies of memory functions.
