Assumptions & Theoretical Models (AQA A Level Psychology)

Assumptions of the cognitive approach

• The Cognitive Approach involves the study of internal mental processes (IMP), e.g.

  • Memory

  • Thinking

  • Attention

  • Perception

• The above processes are internal as psychologists know they are happening but they cannot be directly observed in the same way that biological processes (e.g. brain structures) can for example

• To investigate IMP researchers must run research and make inferences from their findings e.g.

  • Peterson & Peterson (1959) inferred that short-term memory has a duration of around 18 seconds but they could not prove this

  • Beck's cognitive triad infers that depression is based on dysfunctional thought processes but there is no absolute proof of this

• Cognitive psychologists use theoretical and computer models to understand IMP

• Models are used to provide testable theories about mental processes

• Cognitive psychologists use scientific methodology to investigate IMP (if a theory is testable it means it is scientific)

The use of theoretical & computer models

• Theoretical models are diagrammatic representations of IMP; they work in a similar way to flow charts used in computer programming 

• One theoretical model is the Multi-Store Model of Memory (MSM):

  • The MSM is a linear model outlining the stages involved in memory 

  • The MSM demonstrates the flow of information systematically as

    • input-storage-retrieval 

  • It is possible to test the MSM using lab experiments e.g. Glanzer & Cunitz (1966)

• The MSM is an example of the information-processing approach

  • Information flows through the cognitive system in stages

  • The information is transformed e.g.

    • sensory information (e.g. sound, touch) enters memory via the sensory register

  • Information that has been paid attention to is transferred to short-term memory

  • If information is rehearsed, it will transfer to long-term memory

  • Any information which is not rehearsed is displaced (forgotten)

• Information processing in the mind is viewed as being similar to that of a computer (the 'computer analogy')

  • Encoding/coding

    • Computers use alphanumeric codes to complete specific actions

    • The mind interprets environmental stimuli e.g. the sound of a train passing, the texture of a velvet jacket

  • Storage

    • Computers store data on a hard drive

    • The mind's equivalent of a hard drive is long-term memory

  • Output

    • A computer's output includes text, music, images, video

    • The mind's output includes speech, behavioural responses, thoughts

• Computer models are the basis for the development of artificial intelligence 

• Computational modelling has in turn highlighted how the brain carries out a range of functions e.g. anticipating a reward, planning and problem-solving

Evaluation of assumptions & theoretical models

Strengths

• The cognitive approach has good application e.g.

  • It has contributed significantly to the development of AI due to its use of theoretical and computer models

  • This is a strength as it highlights the usefulness of the theory

• In comparison to some of the other approaches the cognitive approach has a degree of flexibility

  • It is an example of soft determinism compared to the hard determinism of the behaviourist approach

  • This means that the cognitive approach does not take a completely rigid view of human behaviour; it acknowledges the existence of free will

Limitations

• The study of IMP is an example of machine reductionism

  • It is overly contrived e.g. attempting to make direct comparisons between a computer and the human mind seems artificial and forced

  • Human cognition is often unpredictable, multi-faceted and emotional; a computer is not designed in such a way

  • This means that the computer analogy has only limited application to cognition

• IMP can only be inferred

  • This means that the cognitive approach to explaining behaviour is overly abstract and detached from real-life

  • Thus it lacks external validity