Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Outline cognitive approach

Answer 1

• Internal mental processes such as perception, memory and attention
• Advanced Wundt’s methods (brain scanning techniques)
• Behaviour only understood by understanding thought processing before it
• Behaviour therefore suggested by making inferences about the cognitive processes that took place before it
• Used theoretical and computer models for inferences about cognitive processes
• Theoretical refers to flow charts, computer models refers to how brain and computer both have input, process and output

Question 2

Outline the limitation of the cognitive approach

Answer 2

• Soft determinism
• Proposes schema’s influence behaviour (element of determinism)
• Proposes engaging in cognitive processes such as decision making (element of free will)
• Limitation because science relies oh hard determinism to establish cause and effect (reducing scientific status of cognitive approach)
• Questions credibility

Question 3

Outline one strength of cognitive approach

Answer 3

• Received supporting evidence
• E.g. brain scanning techniques found increased activity in Broca’s area during speech production tasks and increased activity in Wernicke’s area during speech comprehension tasks
• Strength because supports field of cognitive neuroscience proposing that biological structures in brain responsible for cognitive processes
• Adds credibility

Question 4

Outline final strength of cognitive approach

Answer 4

• Led to practical applications
• E.g. cognitive behavioural therapy
• By studying internal mental processes, found psychological disorders can result from irrational thinking (depressions)
• Led to CBT, way of reconstructing irrational thinking to a more positive rational thinking
• Strength because effective treatment for many psychological disorders
• Questions credibility