cognitive approach ao3

weaknesses

• not scientific, uses inference

• reductionist

strengths

• good application

weakness - not scientific

• uses inference

• IMP cannot be objectively observed

• inference includes guesswork, even tho lab studies are well conducted scientifically. researchers may draw inaccurate conclusions

• cognitive not as scientific as others, conclusions may not be valid

weakness - reductionist

• comparing humans to computers = reducing human thought to machine process

• computers don’t experience emotions humans do that affect thinking

• cognitive psychologists may misinterpret true human thought, oversimplify (machine reductionism)

• only a partial representation of human thought, actually more complex

strength - application

• mental illness treatments

• CBT

• changes negative thoughts + schemas, treat depression, OCD etc

• led to effective treatment that helps people change life for better