Learn: Cognitive Approach in Psychology

Welcome!Today we'll explore the Cognitive Approach in psychology. This approach helps explain how we process information and how it influences our behaviour. Let’s dive in!

What is the Cognitive Approach?The Cognitive Approach views behaviour as the result of mental processes, like thinking, memory, and problem-solving. It uses the idea of the mind working like a computer: input, processing, and output.

Key AssumptionsThere are two key assumptions of the cognitive approach:Behaviour as information processing: Behaviour is influenced by how we process information.Computer analogy: Our minds work like computers, with inputs (sensory information), processing (thinking and organising), and outputs (actions).

Memory StoresMemory is a key concept in the cognitive approach. There are three main types of memory stores:Sensory memory: Holds sensory information briefly (milliseconds).Short-term memory: Stores information for a short period (around 20 seconds).Long-term memory: Stores information for a longer time (potentially forever).

Cognitive BiasesCognitive biases are ways our thinking can be influenced, often leading to errors. Examples include:Fundamental attribution error: Blaming someone's behaviour on their personality instead of the situation.Confirmation bias: Focusing on information that supports what we already believe.Hostile attribution bias: Misinterpreting neutral actions as aggressive.

Reconstructive MemoryOur memories are not perfect recordings. Instead, they are reconstructed based on our schemas (mental frameworks for organising information). This means memories can be altered or influenced by expectations, experiences, or gaps.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about the cognitive approach, memory stores, cognitive biases, and reconstructive memory. Let’s test your understanding now.