The Cognitive Approach

• The Cognitive Approach:

  • The idea that humans conduct mental processes on incoming information was the focus of psychological thought during the mid-20th century.
• Theoretical Models: AO1:

  • Diagrammatic representations of the steps involved in internal mental processes and work in a similar way to flow charts used in computer programming.
  • An example of this is the Multi-Store Model of Memory (MSM) - which outlines the stages involved in memory.
  • This is also known as the information processing model which suggests that information in the mind flows through the cognitive system.
  • Human cognitive processes have a limited capacity when the task is demanding.
  • Models can be used for mental processing and these can be studied scientifically and inferences made.
• Computer Models: AO1:

  • Software simulations of mental processes that are created in collaboration with computer scientists.
  • Computer models are used to simulate or predict human behaviour and performance on tasks.
  • Basis for the development of AI
  • The computer gave cognitive psychologists a metaphor to which they could compare human mental processing.
  • The use of the computer as a tool for thinking about how the human mind handles information is known as the computer analogy.
  • For example, information stored on the hard disk is like long-term memory.
  • Views the brain as a Central Processing unit.
  • The concept of coding (turns the information into a useable format).
  • Focuses on how we structure the process of reaching our behavioural output.
• Schemas: AO1:

  • A package of information and ideas developed through experience.
  • Scheme acts as a script for how to act in any given situation.
  • They allow us to take shortcuts in interpreting information received by the cognitive system.
  • Babies are born with a simple motor schema for innate behaviours like grasping and sucking.
  • Schemas develop with experience, becoming increasingly detailed and sophisticated.
  • A mental shortcut to allow processing information quickly, prevents us from being overwhelmed.
• Cognitive Neuroscience: AO1:

  • Scientific study of the influence of brain structure on mental processes.
  • Broca (1860) researched speech production, and found speech located in the frontal lobe of the brain.
  • He found this in the form of Aphasia studies - looking at individuals with brain damage.
  • Tulving et al (1994) has linked episodic and semantic memories to the prefrontal cortex in the brain.
  • Cognitive Neuroscience was formally recognised by George Miller and Gazzaniga in the 1970’s.
  • Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) are techniques used by cognitive neuroscientists.
• Cognitive Approach AO3: Strength:

  • Employs rigorous methods of study to enable researchers to infer cognitive processes.
  • This idea can be corroborated by the work of Broca (1860) who investigated the formation of speech production and found its source to be the frontal lobe.
  • However, to counter this, one could argue that they are not a good representation of ecological validity and are not representative of our normal cognitive patterns.
  • Therefore, in theory, it could be argued that this view is a clear example of mundane realism.
  • For example, research by Johnson and Scott (1976), has shown that memory is affected by emotional factors such as anxiety which would not be accurately reflected in a highly controlled laboratory facility.
• Cognitive Approach AO3: Strength:


  • Vast levels of usefulness in terms of real-life application.
  • For example, the cognitive approach to psychology shows how dysfunctional behaviour shown by people can be traced back to faulty thinking processes.
  • This is also seen through the study by Chi et al (1981) who used the cognitive approach to discover how experts think in certain situations, highlighting their far more abstract cognitive processes.
  • Furthermore, this can be seen by the use of the cognitive approach to treat widely experienced illnesses such as depression, anxiety, phobias, and a plethora of other psychological disorders.
• Cognitive Approach AO3: Weakness:

  • Too abstract and theoretical.
  • Based on inferences of certain things about mental processes from the behaviour they observe during their research.
  • For example, research on cognitive processes that use artificial stimuli such as tests on memory and word lists which create a sense of mundane realism - further highlighting its theoretical nature.
  • However, to counter this, one can argue that the level of subjectivity that this approach may bring is overshadowed by the myriad of positives that the computer model aspect of the cognitive approach has brought.
  • It depicts the similarities between the human mind and the operations of a machine, making it more favourable.