Cognitive approach

• Supporting evidence uses scientific and objective methods

  This is because the approach uses highly controlled lab experiments to allow all psychologists to be confident about their inferences. Also the emergence of cognitive neuroscience has allowed the two fields of psychology and biology to come together. This means that the study of the mind has become a credible scientific discipline.
• Practical applications

  This is because it has been applied to a wide range of contexts. For example, informing treatments for depression (CBT) and the development of AI.
• Lab study

  Use of lab research uses artifical tasks and may not truly represent real life behaviour so therefore lacks ecological validity.
• Oversimplifies complex processes

  This is because the comparison to a computer means that complex processes are oversimplified and aspects such as emotions are often overlooked.

  Therefore it is not a full approach to understanding behaviour.
• Free will v determinism

  The cognitive approach is less deterministic than the other approaches. As it assumes that an individual has some conscious control over the way they think. This suggests that individuals can be held accountable for their behaviour and can have the power to change their thoughts.