Cognitive approach

Question 1

Internal mental processes

Answer 1

Operations that occur during thinking. Examples include: Perception, Attention, Memory, Language and Problem solving.

Question 2

Assumptions of the cognitive approach

Answer 2

Argues internal mental processes should be studies scientifically.
Investigate areas of human behaviour such as: memory, perception and thinking.

Question 3

Schemas

Answer 3

Packages of ideas and information developed through experience. Act as mental framework for interpretation of incoming information received by cognitive system.

Question 4

Uses of schemas

Answer 4

Explaining symptoms of psychological illness.
Challenge negative schemas in CBT.

Question 5

Use of computer methods

Answer 5

Computer models suggest the mind works like a computer: inputting, storing and retrieving data.

Question 6

Role of theoretical models

Answer 6

Simplified representations of research evidence.
Represented as pictures with boxes and arrows.

Question 7

lacks ecological validity - weakness

Answer 7

Many experiments based in labs.
Change validity so can’t be generalised.
Fail to consider memory in everyday life.
lacks real life applications.

Question 8

Scientific methods - strength

Answer 8

Uses cognitive scientific methods.
Highly controlled and rigorous methods.
Lab studies produce reliable and objective data.
Credible scientific basis.

Question 9

Real world application - strength

Answer 9

Practical applications.
E.G, in artificial intelligence and robots.
Applied to treatment of depression and improve reliability of eyewitness testimony.

Question 10

Machine reductionism - weakness

Answer 10

Based on machine reductionism.
Computer analogy criticised by many.
ignores influence of human emotion.
E.G, human memory may be affected by emotional factors, such as anxiety on eyewitness testimonies.