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Psych exam questionsOutline the cognitive approach:
The cognitive approach is cantered around the role of internal cognitive
processes in shaping behaviour and cognition. These processes, including
perception, memory, attention, language, and problem-solving, are
considered central to understanding how individuals encode, retrieve, and
manipulate information to navigate their environment and make
decisions. The study of cognitive processes regards internal processes
that cannot be observed, researchers therefore rely on the practice of
inference.
A key concept within the cognitive approach is that of schema, being a
package that stores informations. Schemas are mental framework ares,
developed through experience, that assisting in interpretationing and
organizing of information encountered in an individual's environment.
They play a crucial role in guiding behaviour and cognition by providing a
framework for understanding the world and making predictions about
future events. However, schemas can also lead to biases and stereotypes,
as individuals may interpret information in a manner that conforms to
their existing schema, leading to selective processing and inaccuracies in
perception and memory.
The cognitive approach often utilizes theoretical models to illustrate how
mental processes operate. One prominent example is the Multi-Store
Model of memory, proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin. This model suggests
that memory consists of three main components: sensory memory, short-
term memory, and long-term memory. Information moves through these
stages in a linear fashion, with each stage serving a different function.
Additionally, the computer analogy is often used to illustrate cognitive
processes, likening the brain's processing methods to that of a computer's
central processing unit (CPU), which receives input (sensory information),
processes and stores information (memory), and produces output
(behaviour).
Cognitive neuroscience is another important concept stemming from the
cognitive approach, being the study of brain structures on mental
processes. It combines principles of cognitive psychology with
neuroscience to study how biological processes underlie cognitive
functions. This interdisciplinary approach investigates how brain
structures and neural networks support cognitive processes such as
perception, attention, memory, and decision-making.
In terms of contributions, the cognitive approach has significantly
advanced our understanding of human cognition and behaviour. Its
emphasis on controlled experimentation allows researchers to
systematically manipulate variables and measure their effects on
cognitive processes and behaviour, establishing causal relationships and
, testing theoretical hypotheses. While research conducted in laboratory
settings enhances the internal validity of findings, it may limit the
generaliszability of results to real-world settings, with the use of artificial
stimuli causing for studies under this approach to lack external validity. T
However, the mechanistic perspective of the cognitive approach has
practical applications in fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics.
By modelling cognitive processes computationally, researchers have
developed AI systems capable of performing tasks that require human-like
perception, decision-making, and problem-solving, with applications in
various domains, including healthcare and manufacturing. However, the
cognitive approach can be too abstract and theoretical in nature, also
having implications in regards to machine reductionism, as it ignores the
emotional component of humans,
Outline the biological approach:
The biological approach offers a lens through which behaviour and mental
processes are understood by examining biological factors. One pivotal
aspect is the genotype, representing an individual's genetic makeup,
comprised of specific alleles inherited from their parents. Conversely, the
phenotype reflects observable characteristics resulting from the interplay
between genotype and environmental influences. While exploring these
interactions provides insights into genetic predispositions and
environmental impacts on behaviours, the approach may oversimplify the
intricate dynamics of gene-environment interactions, neglecting their
nuanced roles in shaping behaviours.
Neurotransmitters, acting as chemical messengers transmitting signals
between neurons, play a crucial role in regulating various psychological
processes that impact physiological behaviours. For instance, dopamine
regulates mood, and its dysregulation is implicated in psychiatric
disorders like schizophrenia. While studying neurotransmitters under the
biological approach aids in understanding the prevalence of traits or
disorders within families and developing pharmacological interventions, it
may oversimplify the neurobiological basis of complex disorders,
overlooking other factors like neural circuitry and receptor sensitivity.
Family and twin studies are instrumental in investigating the heritability of
psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and OCD. Twin studies, particularly
monozygotic twins, reveal higher concordance rates, indicating a strong
genetic component. However, family studies have limitations in
determining causation and may be confounded by shared environmental
factors, potentially overestimating genetic influence.
The biological approach also delves into how specific functions and
behaviours localize to different brain regions, enhancing our
understanding of neural mechanisms underlying behaviours and
cognition. However, the oversimplification of brain function and neglect of
neural networks and plasticity limit its efficacy in fully comprehending
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