Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Key assumption of cognitive approach?

Answer 1

Internal mental processes like memory, thinking, reasoning and problem solving are all important features which influence human behaviour.

Question 2

Key implication of cognitive approach?

Answer 2

Dysfunctional behaviour can be treated by helping people to change their thought processes.

Question 3

Strengh of cognitive approach?

Answer 3

Many useful applications, used to improve childcare and education. For example, in loftus and palmers study, it was seen leading questions can affect peoples memory so police should consider this when interviewing witnesses. However, a lot of cognitive research is done in laboratorys so its harder to generalise.

Question 4

Strength of cognitive approach?

Answer 4

Illustrates differences in the way people think, evidence of how cognitive deficits can influence. For example, in baron cohens study when a lack of theory of mind is explained by autism. However, there may be other deficits in a person like hereditary factors.

Question 5

Weakness of cognitive approach?

Answer 5

Considered to be reductionist, doesnt consider all factors that can influnce behaviour for example, social factors. Seen in baron cohens study where autism is explored but ignores issues like hormone levels. The reductionist approach allows a lot of rich and detailed data in a certian area.

Question 6

Weakness of cognitive approach?

Answer 6

Studies are usually laboratory based, meaning the ecologival validity is very low. For example, the study of savage-rumbaugh where speech acquisition is shown by use of signs but we dont actually know what the bonobos were thinking. Therefore, we cannot br sure that the research is actually valid.

Question 7

Three cognitive studies?

Answer 7

Baron cohen- advanced theory of mind
Savage rumbaugh- language acquisition
Loftus and palmer- do leading questions affect memory