evaluation

• approach has real world application, theoretical models such as the WMM of memory can help explain behaviour of amnesiac patients such as KF which can help develop treatment
• suffers from machine reductionism, reducing complex behaviour by comparing it to a machine may be a weakness as computers do not forget things or have emotions like humans do. Therefore the cognitive approach is not a full account of human behaviour.
• cognitive neuroscience has confirmed the link between brain structures and mental processes, traditionally explored by studying individuals with unique briain injuries- eg 'Tan', who could only say 'Tan' due to speech production issues- after his death, an autopsy showed damage in what is now known as Broca's area, named after his doctor. Today, imaging shows that Broca's area activates in healthy brains during language production
• understanding of schemas has led to cognitive behavioural therapy, where therapists help clients change negative thought patterns