Approaches in psychology

• what is an advantage of the cognitive approach

  • it is considered as a scientific approach due to its highly controlled experiments , large sample sizes and standardised materials therefore cognitive psychologists are backed up with evidence with high internal validity
• What is a disadvantage of cognitive approach ?

  • internal mental processes cannot be directly observed so cognitive psychologists must make an inference
  • due to the inferences cognitive psycology is viewed as less scienctific compared to behaviourism and biological psychology
• Two benefits of schemas ?

  • allows humans to engage with the world without being overwhelmed by sensory information
  • Allows us to predict and make assumptions about the future
• Disadvantage of schemas

  • leads to inaccurate recall people may feel they remember accurately however their recall had been altered
  • Negative schemas can lead to poor mental health Beck argues people with depression has faulty schemas that bias their thinking about themselves
• What is the computer model? 


  An analogy between the operation of a computers central processing unit running software programs and the human brain conducting internal metal processes