Describe the assumptions of the cognitive approach

• Point (computer analogy)

  One key assumption of the cognitive approach is that the mind functions like a computer. This is known as the computer analogy, where cognitive psychologists compare the human brain to a computer system in terms of input, processing, and output
• Evidence (computer analogy)

  Atkinson and Shriffin’s (1968) multi-store model of memory supports this assumption. According to the model, information enters through the senses (input), is stored in the short-term memory (processing), and can be transferred to long-term memory or retrieved when needed (output)
• Explain (computer analogy)

  This assumption suggests that cognitive processes, such as perception, memory, and attention, are similar to a computers software, while the brain itself is like the hardware. Just as computers process data, humans process information from their environment to produce responses.
• Link (computer analogy)

  Understanding the mind as a computer helps psychologists develop models and experiments to investigate cognitive functions, leading to applications in artificial intelligence and cognitive therapies.
• Point (internal mental processes)

  Another key assumption is that the internal mental processes, such as memory, perception, and attention, influence behaviour and can be studied scientifically. Cognitive psychologists believe humans are information processors, constantly interpreting and responding to their environment
• Evidence (internal mental processes)

  This can be seen in research on perception, such as recognising a dog. When we see a dog, we perceive its features (e.g. four legs, tail, fur), compare it with our stored knowledge, and use language to identify it. studies like Griffiths (1994) on gambling further demonstrate how cognitive processes influence behaviour by showing that gamblers’ thought patterns differed from non-gamblers.
• Explain (internal mental processes)

  Since these processes cannot be directly observed, psychologists infer mental activity using experimental techniques such as introspection, first used by Wilhelm Wundt. Even though introspection has been criticised for being subjective, it remains a valuable tool for understanding cognition
• Link (internal mental processes)

  This assumption is crucial as it allows psychologists to develop scientific methods to study thoughts and decision-making, improving fields such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Point (schemas)

  A third assumption of the cognitive approach is that humans use schemas - mental frameworks built from experience - to interpret and organise information
• Evidence (schemas)

  For example, a ’dog schema’ might include characteristics such as four legs, a tail, and the ability to bark. Schemas are often developed through social interactions and can influence our expectations and behaviours. They can also be inaccurate; for instance, most people’s ’burglar schema’ includes a young male in a balaclava, even though many burglars do not fit this stereotype.
• Explain (schemas)

  Schemas help us process vast amounts of information quickly, allowing us to predict and respond to situations efficiently. However, they can also lead to cognitive biases, such as stereotypes or false memories, which can affect behaviour
• Link (schemas)

  This assumption is important as it explains why people interpret the same events differently and highlights how cognitive distortions can lead to errors in judgement, relevant to fields such as eyewitness testimony and therapy.
• Conclusion (if time)

  The cognitive approach is based on the assumptions that the mind works like a computer, that internal mental processes shape behaviour, and that schemas influence our perception of the world. These ideas have led to practical applications in psychology, including therapies for mental health disorders and research into artificial intelligence.