1.4.3 strengths & weaknesses cognitive (Co) Flashcards
One strength is that the cognitive approach had useful real life applications give an example of this in a therapy:
REBT
What does REBT do?
Aims to change irrational thinking and then the subsequent behaviour
Why is the useful application of REBT a strength? What did Ellis claim?
Helps people with range of mental illnesses function adequately
Ellis claimed 90% success rate
Give another application of the cognitive approach (not therapy):
Cognitive interview
What is the cognitive interview based on?
Loftus and palmers research into accurate EWT
Why is the development of the cognitive interview a strength?
Juries give a lot of weight to EWT
Accurate EWT means less miscarriages of justic
Another strength is the cognitive approach is scientific what does it make use of?
Scientific research methods
Give an example of the use of scientific research methods in the cognitive approach:
Lab experiments such as loftus and palmers research into leading questions
Why is it a strength that the approach used scientific research methods such as lab experiments?
Research can be repeated to check findings
Can establish cause and effect relationship
Give an example of a cause and effect relationship:
Loftus and Palmer
Leading questions will change memory of event
Give an example of developments in science
Cognitive neuroscience
What does cognitive neuroscience make use of?
Brain scanning techniques such as PET and MRI scans
What does cognitive neuroscience do?
Pinpoints specific brain areas involved in internal mental processes
Give an example of a finding of cognitive neuroscience:
Hippocampus associated with LTM
A weakness is that the approach is cognitively reductionist what does this mean?
Focuses solely on cognitive factors and overlooks others
Where is the approach is cognitively reductionist
Ellis ABC model
Beliefs cause maladaptive behaviours
Give an example of how the abc model is reductionist:
E.g Anorexia
Beliefs - I an overweight
Thin is happy
But other factors may result in anorexia such as genetics or unconscious mind
Why is the approach being cognitively reductionist a weakness?
Not a complete explanation of behaviour
In being reductionist the approach is also mechanistic what does this mean?
Input - process - output
Says humans act in a rigid mechanical way
Give an example of how humans aren’t mechanistic:
Humans don’t recall things exactly computers do e.g Allport and postman
In the approach being mechanistic what does it ignore:
Social and environmental factors influencing emotion and behaviour
What are human emotions and how do we act?
Human emotions are complex
We behave in unpredictable irrational ways
Another weakness is lack of nature nurture, but what factors does the approach consider?
Influence or internal and external factors
Give an example of an internal factor the approach considers:
Internal mental processes of the mind
Give an example of an external factor the approach considers:
Experiences in schema formation
Give an example of a nature factor ignored:
Role of genes
What has research shown about genes?
Genes impact on intelligence
Twin studies - 86% of twins have same intelligence
Give an example of nurture factors ignored:
Social cultural factors
Why is it unrealistic to ignore social and cultural factors?
Culture may influence development of schemas e.g war of the ghosts - story schemas
