Eduqas A-Level Psychology Component 1 - Assumptions REVISION GUIDE

Summary

The video explores key psychological approaches, focusing on the cognitive perspective. It covers the internal mental processes that help us interpret the world, such as perception, memory, attention, and language. The cognitive approach compares the human mind to a computer, emphasizing information processing. Key concepts like the multi-store model of memory and schemas are explained, showcasing how we store, retrieve, and interpret information. The cognitive approach also discusses how schemas can lead to biases, inaccuracies, or stereotypes, influencing our understanding and recall of events.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cognitive psychology views humans as information processors, with mental processes like perception, attention, memory, and language working together to interpret the world.
• 😀 The human mind is often compared to a computer, where sensory information is the input, short-term memory acts like RAM, and long-term memory functions like a hard drive.
• 😀 Short-term memory (STM) has a limited capacity of 7±2 items and retains information for about 15-30 seconds, whereas long-term memory (LTM) is virtually unlimited and can store information indefinitely.
• 😀 The multi-store model of memory (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968) proposes that information flows from sensory memory to STM, and with rehearsal, it can move to LTM, where it can be retrieved later.
• 😀 The brain's processing functions are likened to a computer's hardware and software, where the cognitive processes (e.g., perception, attention, memory) are analogous to a computer's software that helps make the 'hardware' (the brain) function.
• 😀 Schemas are mental frameworks that help us make sense of our surroundings, enabling us to predict events and avoid being overwhelmed by too much information.
• 😀 Schemas can be refined through experience but may also distort our perceptions if they are based on irrelevant or incorrect information, potentially leading to biases like stereotypes.
• 😀 The concept of 'opening up a schema' refers to automatically using information stored in our mental frameworks to interpret new experiences.
• 😀 Incorrect schemas or the use of irrelevant ones can lead to inaccurate memory recall, such as in eyewitness testimonies or when forming stereotypes.
• 😀 Cognitive psychology emphasizes the interconnectedness of mental processes, with attention, memory, and perception all working together rapidly to interpret and respond to the environment.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the cognitive approach in psychology?

The cognitive approach focuses on internal mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, and language. It views humans as information processors, where these processes work together to help us make sense of and respond to our environment.

How do cognitive psychologists view human beings in the context of processing information?

Cognitive psychologists view human beings as information processors. They believe that cognitive processes such as perception, attention, memory, and language work together to interpret and respond to the world around us.

What is the role of schemas in the cognitive approach?

Schemas are mental frameworks or 'packets' of information that help us make sense of our environment. They allow us to predict outcomes and avoid information overload, but they can sometimes distort information and lead to inaccurate recollections or biased interpretations.

How does the computer analogy explain cognitive processes?

The computer analogy compares the brain to a computer. Information is input into the brain (like a computer), processed by cognitive processes (like perception, attention, and memory), and then output in the form of behavior or language. The brain is seen as the hardware, and the cognitive processes are the software that makes the system function.

What is the Multi-Store Model of Memory, and who developed it?

The Multi-Store Model of Memory, developed by Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968, explains how information flows through different stages in the memory system. Information first enters sensory memory, moves to short-term memory (STM), and can be transferred to long-term memory (LTM) through rehearsal.

What are the characteristics of short-term memory in the Multi-Store Model?

Short-term memory has three main characteristics: limited capacity (holding 7±2 items), limited duration (15-30 seconds), and primarily acoustic encoding, where even visual information is often translated into sounds.

How does the brain's memory system compare to a computer’s memory components?

In the analogy, the brain's long-term memory is compared to a computer's hard drive, which stores information indefinitely. Short-term memory is likened to the computer’s RAM, which temporarily holds and processes information retrieved from long-term memory.

What is the process of rehearsal in the context of the Multi-Store Model?

Rehearsal is the process through which information in short-term memory is repeated and maintained, allowing it to be transferred to long-term memory. Without maintenance rehearsal, information in short-term memory is likely to be forgotten.

What is the potential impact of schemas on memory accuracy?

Schemas can impact memory accuracy by distorting recollections. If we use irrelevant or improper schemas, it can lead to inaccuracies, such as in eyewitness testimony or the formation of biased stereotypes.

What are the different types of schemas, and how do they influence behavior?

Schemas can be categorized into different types, such as event schemas (scripts) and role schemas. Event schemas help us understand how events unfold, while role schemas define expectations for different roles (e.g., the role of a nurse). These schemas guide our behavior by helping us anticipate outcomes and interact with others.