Question 2

2012

Explain how principles that define the cognitive level of analysis may be demonstrated in research, using theories to and/or studies to support. There are three principles that define the cognitive level of analysis. The most fundamental is that human beings are information processors and that mental processes guide behavior, and the second principle is described as the mind can be studied scientifically by developing theories and using a number of scientific research methods, and the third principle states that cognitive processes are influenced by social and cultural factors. Traditionally, cognitive researchers have favoured the controlled experiment that takes place in the laboratory. The strength of this method is that all variables can be controlled, but, the problem is that experimental research may suffer artificiality. Today however researchers use a variety of methods including case studies. Neuroscientists can now study which brain areas are active when people make decisions, and how cognitive processes can be disrupted. The third principle states that cognitive processes are influenced by social and cultural factors this idea was first introduced by the British psychologist named Bartlett who constructed the term schema. Schema is defined as a mental representation of knowledge; its an internal depiction of the world.
Amanda

Question 2

2012

He was greatly fascinated how cultural schemas influence ones recollection. He researched on this (using the story the war of ghosts) and came to the conclusion that people had difficulties recalling a story they had heard if it originated from another culture. Therefore people would most likely reconstruct the story they heard to fit in with their own cultural schema. He also demonstrated that people do remember in terms of meaning and what individually makes sense to them. This is why memory is linked to distortions; it can cause misrepresentations of memories. This according to Bartlett could support how the principle cognitive processes are influenced by social and cultural factors could be investigated scientifically. The first principle however states that human beings are information processors and that mental processes guide behavior. A study that demonstrates this principle is the study of Dweck and Blackwell carried out in 2007. In the study the participants were low achieving students aged 12 to 13 years. All students were given an introduction to the brain study skills. They were then divided into two different groups; half of them attended a neutral session on memory while the other half attended a lecture on how intelligence can be
Amanda

Question 2

2012

developed through exercise. The result was that the students who were trained to adopt a growth mindset about intelligence were more motivated and this reflected in an increase in their math grades; however the students that did not attend the lecture showed no improvement. Therefore telling the students that intelligence can be developed had an impact on their motivation to learn. This study according to Dweck and Blackwell demonstrates that mental processes guide behavior, as the mindset that intelligence can be developed motivated the students and prompted them to work in a better manner (improving their grades).

Amanda