Outline how the principle that defy the cognitive levels of analysis
1. Humans are information processors, mental representation guide our
behavior. (Bartlett’s concept of schema in reconstruction)
2. The mind can be studied scientifically (Multi-store model of memory)
3. Cognitive processes are influenced by social and cultural factors. (War of
Ghost Study)
There are 3 main principles that outline the cognitive levels of analysis. The first
principle is Humans are information processors and mental representation guides
our behavior. The second principle is the fact that the mind can be studied
scientifically. The final one is the fact that Cognitive processes are influenced by
social and cultural factors. This essay will focus on how these 3 principles
summarize the cognitive level of analysis.
The first principle is the fact that humans are information processors, and
mental representation guides our behavior. The meaning of this is that we react to
the information input from the sensory system and thus our differences in
experience or mental representation guide us to our different behavior or reactions
a.k.a output. This also leads to the idea in which there is a relationship between
thoughts and behavior and the fact that people have fixed ideas about others.
One of the many studies that prove the point of this principle is Bartlett’s
concept schema in reconstruction. The concept of schema was created to provide a
difference in the basis for temporal alternative and spatial storage of memory.
Bartlett put people into studies under environments which he believes they will
have full reign over their bodies Through an activity of “turning around upon
schemata,” to prove that humans can go into a state of full consciousness or a flow of
activity in an environment that takes active control over mind and behavior. This
shows that in a turn of events humans react to the input from their environment
thus changing their output.
The second principle is the fact that the mind can be studied scientifically. This
means that there are ways to stud the human mind just through technology like the
fMRI scanner or other brain scanners in order to confirm cognitive theories. This
method of studying is also most commonly used due to its scientific means.
The study to prove the second principle can be any study that has to do with
cognitive psychology and technology. Multi-store model of memory by Atkinson and
Schifrin is one of the studies that developed over time and through technology
prove their points. The model shows how the theory works as information enters
the sensory memory from the environment, and passes through the short and/or
long-term memory, depending on other factors such as rehearsal, retrieval and
attention. The model was proven better with the use of modern technology such as
FMRI scans which provide a means to investigate alterations in brain function as
demonstrated by Golby. In which, Golby used FMRI scans to examine early stage
Alzheimer’s patients, comparing them with a healthy normal people, as they viewed
novel and repeated scenes. This study shows the use of the scientific method to
understand the mind and its processes, which shows that the mind could be studied
scientifically.
The third and final principle is the fact that cognitive processes are influences by
social and cultural factors. The meaning of this principle is that people often
reconstruct a story to fit in with their own cultural experiences. This shows that
memory is not like a recorder, but people just put together scraps of information or
things that makes sense to them in order to recreate a memory meaning we do not
remember anything but we just recreate from our basic schemas.
Bartlett will prove the third principle through the War ghost study. The third
principle will be proven through the concept of schemas like the first principle, but
in a different way. The “War Ghost Study” is studied by telling people stories and
after telling them try to reconstruct the story. The reconstruction of these stories
could be different because of the difference in people’s schema. As said before the
schema of people differs from one to another because of everyone went through
different experiences, and people come from different places with different cultures
and social interactions. This proves that the cognitive processes are influenced by
social and cultural factors.
In conclusion, the cognitive level of analysis can be outlined by 3 main principles.
The first beings Humans are information processors; mental representation guides
our behavior and can be proven through Bartlett’s concept of schema in
reconstruction. The second being the mind can be studied scientifically which can be
proven through Multi-store model of memory. The last being Cognitive processes
are influenced by social and cultural factors and can be proven through the War of
Ghost Study. All of the studies and principles above concludes that the schema
which is the experience and interactions in different people plays a huge role in the
cognitive level of analysis.s