The Cognitive Approach Flashcards
1
Q
Explain the assumption of the computer analogy
A
- Human mind compared with computer
- input information change and store it (process) and then when needed output the answer
- During the process stage the brain uses internal mental processes
2
Q
Explain the assumption of internal mental processes
A
- Humans are information processors allows us to make sense of the world and respond to it
- Cognitive processes include: perception, attention, memory and language
- Attribution Bias’ include:
internal attribution - (biased) blaming someones behaviour on themselves (hostile attribution is a type of internal attribution where it views everyone hostile around an individual)
External bias - Behaviour caused by the situation
3
Q
Explain the assumption of schemas
A
- Schemas are organised packets of information built up through experiences
- They are an internal representation of the world
- The processes that change schemas are assimilation (schema stays same but modified slightly) and accommodation (schema is changed)
4
Q
What are the main components of REBT?
A
- ABC model: Used to identify irrational thoughts Activating event (situation that brings upset), Belief (irrational belief as a consequence of event) and Consequences (the consequences of the irrational beliefs)
- Disputing and effective thinking: disputing is the therapy
- Mustabatory thinking: the source of irrational beliefs, thinking that certain things must be true in order to be happy
- Unconditional positive regard: Therapist must ensure patient feels their self worth therefore they will want to work on themselves
5
Q
What are the three types of disputing?
A
- Logical disputing: the self defeating beliefs are not logically drawn from the information available
- Empirical disputing: self defeating beliefs not consistent with reality
- Pragmatic disputing: self defeating beliefs are very unhelpful
6
Q
What are the strengths of REBT?
A
- Application: can be used for a number of psychological disorders and behaviours and attitudes which could lead to more psychological issues (Ellis 1994)
- Long term effects: It aids the individual in the long term by helping the way they think about situations
7
Q
What are the weaknesses of REBT?
A
- Not suitable for all: The therapy is not effective if the client is not putting their revised beliefs into action. Also it will be ineffective with people with disorders like schizophrenia as they cannot be told to think rationally
- Irrational environments: It doesn’t address the irrational environments that individuals live in therefore the environment can continue to reinforce the irrational thinking so the therapy will be ineffective
8
Q
Explain the procedure of lofts and palmer
A
- Experiment 1 - participants shown a 5-30 second video of a car crash after which they received a questionnaire and were asked to write and account of the accident. In this they were also asked a question “About how fast were the cars going when they _____ each other?” The word used in the blank varied in each group. They were: hit, smashed, collided, bumped and contacted.
- Experiment 2 - (Part 1) participants shown a film of multiple car crashes lasting 4 seconds and were asked a set of questions including one about speed. Participants divided into 3 groups of 50.
Group 1: was asked “how fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other”
Group 2: was asked “how fast were the cars a going when they hit each other?”
Group 3: Control group that wasn’t asked any questions
(Part 2) A week later participants were asked further questions including “Did you see any broken glass?” There was no broken glass in the film.
9
Q
Explain the findings of Lotus and Palmer.
A
- Experiment 1 - Mean speed was estimated for each experimental group. Smashed = 40.8, collided = 39.3, bumped = 38.1, hit = 34 & contacted = 31.8
-Experiment 2 - (Part 1) People gave higher speed estimates in the ‘smahsed condition’
(Part 2) Number of people that said yes to the broken glass:
Smashed = Yes - 16 No - 34
Hit = Yes - 7 No - 43
Control = Yes - 6 No - 44
10
Q
What are the conclusions of Loftus and Palmer?
A
There are 2 explanations for the results:
1) Response-bias factors: Different speeds are due to critical word used
2) The memory representation is altered: The critical word changes a persons memory of the accident
11
Q
What are the weaknesses of the Loftus and Palmer Experiment?
A
- Sample: The experiments consisted of all American students this could be a weakness as it could be said that they are less experienced drivers therefore are not as accurate as experienced drivers.
- Ecological validity: The participants were not present with the accident so it doesn’t have the same emotional impact so the participants would be less likely to pay attention.
12
Q
What are the strengths of the Loftus and palmer experiment?
A
- Controlled experiment: As it was conducted in an lab with this limits the extraneous variables which makes it easier to replicate.
- Usefulness: The experiment produces results about a topic that is useful to everyday life.
13
Q
What are the advantages of the cognitive approach?
A
- Meditational process - It explains the response from stimuli to response this is not evident in behaviourism
- Important contribution - It has influenced many areas of psychology and been applied to create therapies such as CBT and REBT that have been used successfully to treat disorders like depression
- Scientific approach - Depends on objective and controlled scientific research, cognitive processes are often tested/researched in a lab and recently using scanning techniques.
14
Q
What are the disadvantages of the cognitive approach?
A
- Nature v Nurture - It fails to consider both parts of the debate for example use of genes is ignored
- Determinist approach - Our schemes are determined through our life experiences therefore this suggests that our behaviour is all predetermined
- Mechanistic approach - portrays human behaviour like a machine due to this they ignore social and emotional factors
