Hi everyone
We're back in the approaches in psychology series. Over the next two videos were moving our focus onto dot point three two one two:
To conquer the assumptions of a cognitive approach. In this video we'll do two things
first we'll define the general principles of the cognitive approach and
second we'll run through a definition and evaluation of a first
substantive cognitive assumption:  the existence of schema
At the end we'll finish off with a speedy summary of the take-home messages
So first, what is the cognitive approach?
here the aim is basically just the opposite of what we saw in the behaviorist learning approach. While the learning approach focuses on
Observable external behavior. The aim of the cognitive approach is to study how the internal mind works to influence behavior
Cognitive psychologists have come up with three main assumptions about the inner workings of our minds
which act as springboards for any theory in the cognitive approach
First we have the limited capacity assumption
Limited capacity says that our minds can only process a fixed amount of information at one time
Although that information can be spread over different tasks
It's quite simple to text whilst having a conversation with someone
but it's much more tricky to Pat our heads rub our bellies and walk across a tightrope at the same time and that
demonstrates limited capacity
Second there's the control mechanism assumption
Basically cognitive psychologists believe that there's a queen bee area of the mind which has superior
Processing power and can control the activity in other areas
Third there's the two-way flow assumption. Two-way flow says that the mind takes in information from the environment
That's the input flow and once it's processed it it produces a behavioral reaction. That's the output flow
so basically the human mind is just like a computer which inputs and outputs information.
And there we go
There are the three main assumptions of the cognitive approach
Now that we've got to grips with the aim and the assumptions of the approach
Let's see how cognitive psychologists perform their studies of the mind. We have three main methods
Laboratory experiment are our first and most popular method.
To get the full lowdown on this have a quick rewatch of the research methods video on experiments
The point is basically just that these highly structured experiments allow tight control of variables by excluding external influences
called confounding variables
Which means that cognitive psychologists have come up with a scientific and valid way of studying the mind
Second there are case studies in which psychologists look at really rare conditions in which the mind falls out of sorts
Perhaps after brain damage or traumatic experiences for instance. These case studies can give us an insight into the working of some mental processes
The problem here is that the conditions are rare meaning the sample tends to be small.
As we know that means the results of these case studies are tricky to generalize to the whole population
or less reliable
A more recent and upcoming research method in the cognitive approach is brain. Imaging
This is where high-tech scanning machines such as the fMRI or PET machines map areas of the brain to specific cognitive functions
This is a super interesting and fast evolving area of psych and we've covered it in much much more detail
in bio psych video 6 studying the brain. So if you want some in-depth background knowledge go and check that out
So let's review: the cognitive approach has three key assumptions. The limited capacity
control mechanism and two-way flow assumptions
these have led to the adoption of research methods including the laboratory experiments, case studies and brain imaging all of which are ways in which
researchers have attempted to understand the inner workings of the mind
So now we've understood the general principles of the cognitive approach
We can move on to think about our first substantive cognitive assumption the existence of schema
Cognitive psychologists argue that we create a schema to organize and interpret information about different
Experiences and that these letters predict what might happen in a future encounter.
In other words schema are a bit like filing cabinets which store information about unique objects actions or theories
For example a file about bears would contain all the things you've learned about bears from Discovery channel
documentaries, children's films and personal hiking trip experiences.
If you were to come across a bear after learning this information
You'd be able to open the file to predict how it might reacts and make a speedy decision about how you should respond.
In most cases that would be to run off as quickly as possible into the sunset
To get a bit more specific
There are three different types of schema: first role schema concerns expected behaviors for someone in a role
You might expect the Queen to always be well-mannered and drink copious amounts of tea or an athlete to be fit well-built and energetic
second event schema also known as scripts relate to what is expected in a particular situation an
An example might be a bedtime routine:
Putting on your PJs brushing your teeth turning out the lights and getting into bed
Third the self schema, which is about ourselves and is based on our looks personality and values
For lady gaga a self schema could therefore include meat dresses sassy dance moves and a telephone headpiece
But for you or I it's more likely to include values such as being a psychology student sibling friend and tea lover
So we know what a schema is, but how does it work?
well, when we come across new information that doesn't fit with our existing file its incorporated into the schema in one of two ways the
First option is that it's assimilated into the schema. This happens when the new piece of information is incorporated into an existing file
Meaning that the original schema remains the same. Tt's a bit like if a four-year-old has told the animals with four legs are cats
This creates a new schema about what a cat is
This would lead to other four-legged animals like a lion also being assimilated into the schema
The other option is that the information is accommodated into the schema this happens when the file is adapted to incorporate new information
In other words an existing schema is altered as a result of new information
For example the child may later learn that although a dog has four legs, it doesn't actually fit in the cat schema and
So the schema is changed or accommodated to reflect this
perhaps now defining cats as four-legged animals which have whiskers.
Good news is we have some evidence to back these views up. Our key piece of research here is by Bartlett in 1932
To look at whether existing schema would affect someone's memory of an unusual event
A group of British participants were read an unfamiliar Native American story which contained a load of strange and unusual names ideas and objects
After varying amounts of time the participants were then asked to repeat the story back to Bartlett
The result was that the participants tended to change the story to fit their own schema
making American details more English and replacing many of the unusual names or ideas
The longer the time delay the more the story showed this effect
So, this is evidence of assimilation in practice and
Bartlett concluded by saying that people use schemas to help them interpret new information
However, as ever we do have to be careful in generalizing these findings as it's a super specific and pretty artificial scenario
So in reality to be fully convinced, we need a bit more support to back these findings up.
And there we have it. Let's quickly revisit what we've learnt the cognitive approach aims to study the impact of our thought processes on our behavior
The cognitive approach has three key assumptions the limited capacity control mechanism and two-way flow assumptions
The three most popular research methods in the cognitive approach are lab experiments case studies and brain imaging
Schematic theory says that we create a roll event or self schema to organize and interpret new information
either through a process of assimilation or accommodation
Finally schematic theory is backed up by a study by Bartlett who found that participants would remember a story in line with their existing schema,
though the generalizability of this experiment is up for debate
Now jot those ideas down and once you're done
I'll see you in the next video in which we'll continue our exploration of the cognitive approach
See you then
