EVALUATING THE APPROACH

• Is the congnitive approach scientific?

  Yes
• Why?

  It conducts scientific research that demonstrates clear cause and effect relationships.
• What is an example?

  Loftus and Palmer, 1974
• What has the impact Loftus’ and Palmer’s research has had?

  Understanding leading questions and inaccuracy in EWT.
• How did they do this?

  By demonstrating language used in leading questions has a strong effect on memory.
• Why is this a strength?

  Research in this area has led to the development of cognitive interviews.
• What are these?

  A special type of interview used by police.
• Why is this a better approach than eyewitness testimony?

  The interviewer avoids leading questions which maintains the accuracy in their testimony.
• Is the cognitive approach successful in therapy?

  Yes
• Why?

  It has had very successful treatments for anxiety and depression.
• How is this evident?

  Through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
• What does this treatment aim to do?

  CBT aims to challenge irrational thoughts and replace them with rational ones.
• How can this be done through?

  Using a dysfunctional thought diary, incorporating cognitive restructuring and positive activity scheduling.
• What does this approach discuss?

  How faulty thinking can lead to disorders such as anxiety and depression.
• Why is this a strength?

  Because the client can work on identifying and altering negative thinking patterns.
• What can individuals learn through CBT?

  To replace dysfunctional ones with more constructive ones.
• What does this move the individual away from?

  Maladaptive behaviours and negative thinking- therefore proving to be a positive long term solution.
• Is the cognitive approach reductionist?

  Yes
• Why?

  It reduces complex behaviours to a set of simple explanations.
• What is an example?

  The cognitive suggests that depression is caused by faulty thought processes and irrational thoughts.
• Why is this a weakness?

  The cognitive approach doesn't address the underlying cause of depression.
• What are examples of other causes of depression?

  Biology- e.g lack of serotonin
• What other things can influence depression?

  Environment, cultural factors and upbringing
• What can the cognitive approach prevent?

  A true understanding of the cause of depression being reached.
• What also can it not explain?

  People being depressed after CBT.
• What does research in the cognitive approach lack?

  Ecologically valid research.
• What did Loftus and Palmer examine?

  The effect of leading questions in memory.
• What did the experiment lack?

  Mundane realism
• Why is this a weakness?

  Watching car accidents on a film is different from reacting to traumatic real life events.
• What may viewing a real accident provoke?

  Witnesses have a greater motivation to remember the events.
• What can witnesses experience irl compared to the experiment?

  Emotions such as fear which may influence memory
• What is the conclusion?

  Findings in a lab cannot be generalised to real life eyewitness testimonies.