Cognitive Approach

The cognitive approach is a perspective is psychology that focuses on how mental processes influence behaviour. Instead of just looking at observational actions (like behaviourism), it studies what’s happening inside the mind - how people think, perceive, remember, and solve problems.


Scripts and Schema

A key concept to the approach is the idea of ‘schema’. A schema is an internal template or cognitive framework that helps us to organise and interpret information. A script is a schema for behaviour. Schemas develop through our experience of the world, which includes our cultural and social knowledge.

For example, we learn schemas for behaviour - socially expected ways of behaving in certain situations. These are ‘scripts’ for those situations, and are culturally-specific.

Stereotypes are a form of schema. These are prior ideas in the form of categories and generalisations, which are helpful in terms of information-processing quickly (e.g. believing that large dogs can be dangerous leads us to quickly avoid large dogs), but can distort our perception and memory (e.g. reclalling a burglar as being a male, or having preconceived judgements about blonde women, or libarians)


Internal Mental Processes

Using experimental research methods, (laboratory experiments, brain scanning techniques), the cognitive approach studies internal mental processes such as attention, memory and decision-making.

Psychologists ‘infer’ - they make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed based on the evidence they have.

For example, an investigation might want to test the capacity of STM, so might present chunks of information and then see how much can be recalled immediately, thus inferring (reaching a logical conclusion based on the evidence available) about the capacity of short-term memory.

In this way, theories can be supported or disproved as a result of conducting experiments on humans to test theories.


Theoretical and computer models

The cognitive approach uses theoretical and computer models to explain how mental processes work. Theoretical models describe the steps involved in processes such as memory and attention, while computer models compare the mind to a computer that inputs, stores, and retrieves information. These models help psychologists make inferences about internal mental processes that cannot be directly observed.

The mind is often compared to a computer:

  • It receives input (information from the enviroment)

  • Processes it (thinking, interpreting)

  • Stores it (memory)

  • Produces output (behaviour or responses)


Cognitive Neuroscience

Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of how brain structures and brain activity are linked to mental processes such as memory, thinking, and perception. It combines cognitive psychology with neuroscience and uses brain scanning techniques, such as fMRI scans, to investigate how the brain functions during cognitive tasks.


Evaluation (AO3 Points)

Real-world applications (strength)

  • The cognitive approach helps explain disorders like depression through faulty or irrational thinking.

  • This led to therapies such as CBT, which successfully challenge negative thought patterns.

  • Research on memory and schemas has improved understanding of eyewitness testimony and false memories.

  • Cognitive neuroscience has practical uses in treating brain injuries, autism, dyslexia, OCD, and depression.

  • Overall, the approach has improved quality of life through useful treatments and applications.


Scientific approach (strength)

  • Uses controlled laboratory experiments and objective methods to study mental processes.

  • Research by psychologists like Miller, Peterson, and Baddeley produced reliable data on memory.

  • Cognitive neuroscience and brain scans allow scientists to directly observe brain activity.

  • However, many conclusions rely on inference because mental processes cannot be directly observed, making it less fully scientific.


Low external validity (limitation)

  • Many studies are conducted in artificial lab settings with unrealistic tasks.

  • Examples include memorising nonsense trigrams in memory experiments.

  • Findings may not reflect everyday behaviour, so results cannot always be generalised to real life.

  • However, moving away from controlled labs could reduce scientific reliability and internal validity.


Machine reductionism (limitation)

  • The cognitive approach compares the mind to a computer (coding, storage, retrieval).

  • Human thinking is more complex than computer processing because humans are affected by emotion, motivation, anxiety, and distraction.

  • This oversimplifies behaviour and ignores emotional influences on cognition.


Soft determanism (strength)

  • The approach suggests behaviour is influenced by mental processes, but people still have some free will.

  • Individuals can choose what to focus on and how to respond.

  • CBT supports this idea because people can actively change irrational thoughts.

  • This creates a more positive and hopeful view of human behaviour and psychopathology.