A03 cognitive

• POINT: A strength of the cognitive approach is that it uses scientific and objective methods.

  EVIDENCE: For example, it regularly uses lab experiments to produce reliable and objective data.

  EXPLAIN: Such rigorous methods in highly controlled environments allow researchers to infer cognitive processes without directly observing them. 

  LINK: Therefore, this increases the credibility of the cognitive approach as a way of studying the mind scientifically.
• POINT: is it is machine reductionist

  EVIDENCE: For e.g, the information processing model assumes our mind works like a computer (i.e. a machine) n thus reduces much of our behaviour to simple processes such as input, storage n retrieval.

  EXPLAIN: means that it fails to acknowledge the influence of human emotions and motivation on mental processes, such as the effect of anxiety (emotion) on eyewitness testimonies (memory)

  LINK: therefore , the cognitive approach only provides a partial explanation for human behaviour as there are factors beyond thinking that affect our behaviour.
• POINT: A further limitation of this approach is that it may be difficult to apply to everyday life due to the nature of the approach and the research conducted.

  EVIDENCE: For example, most experimental studies are usually carried out using artificial stimuli, such as using trigrams to test memory

  EXPLAIN: This means psychologists will obtain results that may not represent everyday memory experience.

  LINK: Therefore, this is a weakness because such research lacks external validity, which makes it hard to generalise the findings.
• POINT: has useful real-life application

  EVIDENCE: For example, the cognitive approach explains how depression is a consequence of irrational thinking and developed through a negative schema which distorts their interpretations of events around them

  EXPLAIN: This has led to the development of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), which aims to treat depression by identifying, challenging and replacing those irrational and negative thoughts.

  LINK: Therefore, this is a strength because we can use this approach to treat people with mental disorders and improve their quality of life.