Cognitive level of analysis
Introduction
At the second level of analysis, the products of our biological machinery can be seen in our cognitive system, which includes our
cognitions, emotions and behaviours.
Around the 1950s psychologists began systematically to explore cognition to further understanding of human behaviour. This shift in
focus from studying observable behaviour to studying mental processes, such as memory and perception, is called “the cognitive
revolution”. Cognitive psychologists suggested that humans form internal mental representations that guide behaviour, and they
developed a range of research methods to study these. In recent years, researchers within social and cultural psychology have used
findings from cognitive psychologists to understand how mental processes may be influenced by social and cultural factors.
Cognitive psychology represents a vast array of research areas including cognitive psychology, cognitive science, cognitive
neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience. Topics such as memory, perception, artificial intelligence, amnesia and social
cognition are studied. Cognitive psychologists use traditional research methods (for example, experiments and verbal protocols) but
there is an increasing focus on the use of modern technology.
Cognitive psychologists collaborate increasingly with neuroscientists, social psychologists and cultural psychologists in order to
explore the complexity of human cognition. This approach is illustrated in the field of cultural and social cognitive neuroscience,
indicating the complementary nature of social, cognitive and biological levels of analysis. Research that integrates these three levels
can develop more meaningful theories to explain the mechanisms underlying complex behaviour and the mind.
Learning outcomes i.e. current test questions
General learning outcomes
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Outline principles that define the cognitive level of analysis (for example, mental representations guide behaviour, mental
processes can be scientifically investigated).
Explain how principles that define the cognitive level of analysis may be demonstrated in research (that is, theories
and/or studies).
Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the cognitive level of analysis (for example, experiments,
observations, interviews).
Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the cognitive level of analysis.
Cognitive processes
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Evaluate schema theory with reference to research studies.
Evaluate two models or theories of one cognitive process (for example, memory, perception, language, decision-making)
with reference to research studies.
Explain how biological factors may affect one cognitive process (for example, Alzheimer’s disease, brain damage, sleep
deprivation).
Discuss how social or cultural factors affect one cognitive process (for example, education, carpentered-world
hypothesis, effect of video games on attention).
With reference to relevant research studies, to what extent is one cognitive process reliable (for example, reconstructive
memory, perception/visual illusions, decision-making/heuristics)?
Discuss the use of technology in investigating cognitive processes (for example, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
scans in memory research, fMRI scans in decision-making research).
Cognition and emotion
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To what extent do cognitive and biological factors interact in emotion (for example, two factor theory, arousal theory,
Lazarus’ theory of appraisal)?
Evaluate one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process (for example, state-dependent memory, flashbulb
memory, affective filters).
PAST QUESTIONS
A.
Using a psychological framework, explain what is meant by free will and determinism. B. To what extent are free will and determinism integral to the cognitive
perspective?
A.
Identify one research method used by psychologists working from a cognitive perspective, and describe how this method has been applied in one
psychological study. B. Give one strength and one limitation of the application of the method described in part A.
Describe and evaluate the contributions of cognitive psychology to the understanding of one cognitive process you have studied.
“The cognitive perspective has risen in status amongst psychologists as it is appropriate to all of the methods of investigation in psychology.” Use psychological studies to
assess the validity of this claim.
Define the key concepts associated with the cognitive perspective. How have these concepts been tested empirically?
A. Explain three investigative techniques favored by the cognitive perspective. B. In comparison with other perspectives, what are the inherent strengths and limitations of
the investigative techniques used by psychologists working within the cognitive perspective?
A. Describe one model of information processing that helps in the understanding of one aspect of human cognition. B. Using psychological theory and/or research, evaluate
the model described in part A of this question.
Describe and evaluate methodologies used in the cognitive perspective (e.g. experiments, interviews, verbal protocols).
A.
Explain one psychological or social question (aggression or gender differences) from the cognitive perspective. B. Compare the cognitive explanation of the question
selected in part A with the explanation offered by one other perspective you have studied for this paper.
A. Describe one cognitive explanation of human behavior, making reference to one empirical study. B. Describe one strength and one limitation of this explanation of
human behavior.
A.
Outline one assumption of the cognitive perspective. B. Identify one key concept based on the assumption outline in part (A) and explain the relationship between the
two.
Evaluate the contribution of the cognitive perspective to the scientific study of behavior.
Assess the extent to which one concept or model of information processing has helped in the understanding of cognition.
Choose one cognitive research study that could be considered controversial. A. Outline the method used in the chosen study. B. Explain why the study is considered
controversial.
A.
Outline one empirical study within the cognitive perspective. B. Describe one application of findings obtained from the empirical study outlined in part A.
Referring to experiments and alternative research methods (e.g. verbal protocols, interviews) assess claims that some research within the perspective lacks ecological validity.
Account for one limitation of a cognitive explanation of behavior.
Discuss ways in which ethical considerations affect research in the cognitive perspective.
Explain how one key concept from the cognitive perspective helps us understand behaviour.
Assess the extent to which one model of information processing has helped in understanding cognitive processes.
COMBINED QUESTIONS, very possible for a comparison with another perspective
Identify the assumptions of human nature that are held in common by any two perspectives. To what extent do theorists from these two perspectives agree on the possibility
of human change?
Compare the methodological orientations of any two perspectives.
A. With reference to one perspective give a precise account of the cultural factors that contributed to its development. B. Using the information from part A support the
argument that “Psychological theory must always consider the cultural factors which contributed to its development.”
A.
Identify and describe the key concepts from any two perspectives. B. Consider their effectiveness in explaining human behavior.
“Theories challenging traditional learning theory make the assumption that learning ism more than a series of stimulus-response associations.” With reference to this
statement, assess the extent to which ______________ and/or _______________ factors contribute to explanations of behavioral change within the learning perspective.
Select any two perspectives and compare the historical conditions that led to their development. Have more recent developments in psychological research affected their
standing within psychology?
Compare and contrast the assumptions and methodologies of the ________ perspectives.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the conceptual framework for _________ and __________ perspectives. To what extent are these concepts derived from other
perspectives and other social sciences.
Using any two perspectives, assess the claim that findings from research using non-human animals can be applied to explanations of human behavior.
Select any two perspectives and compare their interpretations of a current psychological or social issue of your choice.
Revisions of a perspective’s original assumptions have occurred as a result of new research findings. Discuss this statement in relation to one perspective of your choice.
A.
Compare the _______ and ________ perspectives’ views on the determinism of behaviour. B. How would both perspectives interpret the possibility of behavioral
change?
Discuss two theoretical explanations of behavior, one from the ______________ perspective and one from another perspective that you have studied for this paper.