(13) Unit 1 - DRAINS Evaluation of the Cognitive Approach

Is the cognitive approach deterministic or does it acknowledge free will?

This approach is largely deterministic because it asserts that behaviour is determined by cognitive processes.

What evidence or example supports the cognitive approach being deterministic?

The way we think/process information determines how we respond to environmental stimuli. This can be illustrated by Griffths’ study of gamblers who found that gamblers displayed cognitive biases such as believing that certain machines were lucky which influenced their behaviour to gamble more. However, this approach is not wholly deterministic as the therapy, CBT, demonstrates how free will can be exercised. CBT suggests that thoughts are changeable and that a client has the ability to change their own thoughts through reflective practice. This helps them to identify, challenge and replace irrational thoughts with rational thoughts.

What is one strength and one weakness of the cognitive approach?

A strength of this is that it allows for theories to be developed to explain behaviour such as schemas explaining why we form relationships with people we find attractive (halo effect).

A weakness of this is that there it oversimplifies human behaviour and denies the existence of freewill over one’s own behaviour. It also places blame onto an individual as behaviour is a product of their own thoughts.

Is the cognitive approach reductionist or holistic?

The cognitive approach takes a reductionist view because it focuses on cognition as an explanation for behaviour rather than considering multiple reasons for behaviour.

What evidence or example supports the cognitive approach being reductionist?

Griffiths studied cognitive biases in the formation and maintenance of gambling addiction, explaining that players who hold a gamblers fallacy were more likely to spend more money and continue to gamble.

What is one strength and one weakness of the cognitive approach being reductionist?

A strength of this is that being reductionist is easier to study in a more scientific way as single causes can be identified and conclusions drawn.

A weakness is that the cognitive approach ignores other influences on behaviour. It is well established that addictions such as gambling have a biological basis that can be passed through generations. It is also known that positive reinforcement and the observation of role models can contribute to gambling behaviour. The approach does not explore these other influences and fails to take a holistic perspective.

Has the cognitive approach been applied successfully?

The cognitive approach has enormous applications in society.

What evidence or examples could be used to support the cognitive approach being applied successfully?

In education we can identify cognitive deficiencies such as dyslexia and put forward interventions to prevent cognitive overload. One of the greatest applications of the cognitive approach is CBT. Jarrett et al (1999) found CBT to be as effective as medication in the treatment of severe depression.

What is one strength of the cognitive approach being applied successfully?

A strength of this is that CBT is safer than medication as it causes no harmful side effects and has long term benefits in depression management.

Would the cognitive approach be viewed as idiographic or nomothetic?

The cognitive approach is can be seen as nomothetic because it proposes universal theories that apply to everyone.

What evidence or examples support that the cognitive approach is nomothetic?

An example of this is the multi store model of memory which proposes that everyone has a sensory register, short term memory and long term memory which functions in the same way for all. Likewise, the idea that our minds work in a similar way to that of a computer (computer analogy) is a theory that explains all behaviour and suggests that the approach is nomothetic. Although schemas may seem personal to individuals, and you could argue them to be idiographic, the way schemas work is a way that applies to everyone.

What is one strength and one weakness of the cognitive approach being nomothetic?

A strength of being nomothetic is that it means that cognitive psychology is seen as being scientific because we can make general statements about cognitive functioning that apply to all humans.

A weakness of this is that it ignores the role that individual differences play in shaping human behaviour and the uniqueness of every individual.

Does the cognitive approach follow the nature or nurture debate, or is it interactional?

The cognitive approach has aspects that suggest human behaviour is a product of both nature and nurture.

What evidence or example supports the cognitive approach being interactionist, and what is a strength or weakness of this?

The cognitive approach supports the nature part of the argument by suggesting that many of the internal mental processes are innate, such as language, memory, attention and other internal mental processes. In terms of nurture, the cognitive approach suggests that your environment plays a role in how our schemas develop, however, many theories do not go far enough when considering the way that social factors such as culture and education play in our cognition. In this way, the cognitive approach is regarded as interactionist.

Is the cognitive approach scientific?

A key aspect of the cognitive approach it is scientific.

What evidence or examples support the cognitive approach being scientific?

Research in cognitive psychology frequently uses experimental methods to test its theories. Loftus and Palmer used an experiment in a laboratory setting to test the reliability of eyewitness testimony. This study had many controls (e.g. the standardised way of asking questions) and so the research is less likely to be affected by extraneous variables, and the study is easy to replicate. This is a good example of how the cognitive approach scientifically tests its theories.

What is one weakness of the cognitive approach being scientific?

A weakness of the cognitive approach is its use of introspection to study internal mental processes. Due to concerning itself with these internal processes, cognitive psychologists have to rely on participants self-reporting their thoughts and feelings. This may not be objective. More modern cognitive research uses scientific equipment such as MRI scans to study internal processes. The equipment can help support the self-reported comments made by participants. This has led to the creation of a more modern version of cognitive psychology; cognitive neuroscience.