The Cognitive Approach

What is the main assumption of the cognitive approach?

Explains all behaviour in terms of thoughts, beliefs and attitudes.

What does the cognitive approach focus on?

Focuses on how people store, manipulate and interpret information by studying mental processes such as perception, memory, thinking and problem-solving.

What is a schema?

A cognitive framework we use to organise and interpret information.

What is an advantage of a schema?

Allows us to take shortcuts when interpreting the huge amount of information we take in daily.

What is a disadvantage about schemas?

They can lead us to exclude/ misinterpret information by filling in the gaps – stereotypes

what is the main problem in studying mental processes?

we can’t study them directly with observation instead psychologists study them indirectly usually via lab experiments which means they’re not empirical

What is the multi story model?

A simplified representation on how memory works based on current research and evidence

What does the multi story model suggest about memory?

That memory is a linear process moving through 3 distinct stores; the sensory register, short-term memory and long term memory.

What does a diagram of the multi story model look like?

What does the computer model suggest about our memory?

Information is put in through our senses, coded into memory and then combined with previously stored information to complete a task

What is the word on the spec about the role of models?

The role of models to make influences/draw conclusions about mental processes

Evaluation – what is the first advantage of the cognitive approach?

Application to the treatment of depression- the study of internal mental processes has increased or understanding of why people develop depression: through faulty mental thinking processes and negative schemas. This has led to the development of cognitive behavioural therapy, a treatment for depression. This matter matters because CBT is an effective treatment for depression and demonstrates the utility of the approach to help improve the lives of those with depression.

What is the second advantage of the cognitive approach?

Research: Boury et al- found the patients with depressionwere more likely to misinterpret information negatively and feel hopeless about the future. This matters because it supports the idea that cognitive processes are involved in the development of certain behaviours/psychological conditions. This adds validity to the cognitive approach.

What is a disadvantage of the cognitive approach?

Overlook of the factors – the cognitive approach assumes all behaviour can be explained in terms of our thoughts beliefs and attitudes. However, behaviour psychologists would argue that some behaviours can be learnt through operant/classical conditioning. This matters because it shows the cognitive approach cannot offer a complete explanation of human behaviour, other factors such as the behaviourist approach do need to be considered as well.