1.4.3 strengths & weaknesses cognitive (Co)

Question 1

One strength is that the cognitive approach had useful real life applications give an example of this in a therapy:

Answer 1

REBT

Question 2

What does REBT do?

Answer 2

Aims to change irrational thinking and then the subsequent behaviour

Question 3

Why is the useful application of REBT a strength? What did Ellis claim?

Answer 3

Helps people with range of mental illnesses function adequately
Ellis claimed 90% success rate

Question 4

Give another application of the cognitive approach (not therapy):

Answer 4

Cognitive interview

Question 5

What is the cognitive interview based on?

Answer 5

Loftus and palmers research into accurate EWT

Question 6

Why is the development of the cognitive interview a strength?

Answer 6

Juries give a lot of weight to EWT

Accurate EWT means less miscarriages of justic

Question 7

Another strength is the cognitive approach is scientific what does it make use of?

Answer 7

Scientific research methods

Question 8

Give an example of the use of scientific research methods in the cognitive approach:

Answer 8

Lab experiments such as loftus and palmers research into leading questions

Question 9

Why is it a strength that the approach used scientific research methods such as lab experiments?

Answer 9

Research can be repeated to check findings

Can establish cause and effect relationship

Question 10

Give an example of a cause and effect relationship:

Answer 10

Loftus and Palmer

Leading questions will change memory of event

Question 11

Give an example of developments in science

Answer 11

Cognitive neuroscience

Question 12

What does cognitive neuroscience make use of?

Answer 12

Brain scanning techniques such as PET and MRI scans

Question 13

What does cognitive neuroscience do?

Answer 13

Pinpoints specific brain areas involved in internal mental processes

Question 14

Give an example of a finding of cognitive neuroscience:

Answer 14

Hippocampus associated with LTM

Question 15

A weakness is that the approach is cognitively reductionist what does this mean?

Answer 15

Focuses solely on cognitive factors and overlooks others

Question 16

Where is the approach is cognitively reductionist

Answer 16

Ellis ABC model

Beliefs cause maladaptive behaviours

Question 17

Give an example of how the abc model is reductionist:

Answer 17

E.g Anorexia
Beliefs - I an overweight
Thin is happy
But other factors may result in anorexia such as genetics or unconscious mind

Question 18

Why is the approach being cognitively reductionist a weakness?

Answer 18

Not a complete explanation of behaviour

Question 19

In being reductionist the approach is also mechanistic what does this mean?

Answer 19

Input - process - output

Says humans act in a rigid mechanical way

Question 20

Give an example of how humans aren’t mechanistic:

Answer 20

Humans don’t recall things exactly computers do e.g Allport and postman

Question 21

In the approach being mechanistic what does it ignore:

Answer 21

Social and environmental factors influencing emotion and behaviour

Question 22

What are human emotions and how do we act?

Answer 22

Human emotions are complex

We behave in unpredictable irrational ways

Question 23

Another weakness is lack of nature nurture, but what factors does the approach consider?

Answer 23

Influence or internal and external factors

Question 24

Give an example of an internal factor the approach considers:

Answer 24

Internal mental processes of the mind

Question 25

Give an example of an external factor the approach considers:

Answer 25

Experiences in schema formation

Question 26

Give an example of a nature factor ignored:

Answer 26

Role of genes

Question 27

What has research shown about genes?

Answer 27

Genes impact on intelligence

Twin studies - 86% of twins have same intelligence

Question 28

Give an example of nurture factors ignored:

Answer 28

Social cultural factors

Question 29

Why is it unrealistic to ignore social and cultural factors?

Answer 29

Culture may influence development of schemas e.g war of the ghosts - story schemas