Cognitive Approach

• Internal mental processes- behaviour is a result of our internal mental process, such as thoughts, feelings and emotions. These processes work together to make sense of the world around us. Example- we pay attention to dogs features
• Computer analogy- psychologists compare the human mind to a computer. Its linked with how we take in information, store it/change it and then recall it. Example- long and short term memory.
• Schemas- behaviour is influenced by schemas. A schema is a 'collection of ideas', a schema often starts basic and becomes more complex through experience. Example- making tea.
• Relationship- schemas can be linked to romantic relationships as the collection of ideas we have about other people may govern how we act towards them.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy- a therapist works with clients to help them identify negative thoughts and replace them with more positive ones. The cognitive theory refers to faulty thinking as 'dysfunctional automatic thoughts'. To challenge negative schemas there's a dysfunctional thoughts diary and cognitive restructuring.
• Strengths of CBT- it is highly effective in treating depression & anxiety-related problems, it empowers clients to develop their own coping strategies, and has become to most widely used therapy by clinical psychologists.
• Weaknesses of CBT- Hollen et al(1992) found no difference is patient outcomes between CBT and other therapies, Kyken and Tsivrikos(2009) claimed that 15% of variables may be down to therapist competence, the approach assumes that the client is responsible for their disorders.
• Ethical issues- may be less suitable in situation with high levels of stress, Alloy and Abramson(1979) suggest that depressive realists see things for what they are, depressed people display a sadder but wiser effect.
• Method- it was laboratory experiment, it takes place in a controlled,artificial setting and involves two or more experimental conditions. During lab experiments, the IV is manipulated to see the effect of the DV.
• Sample- in experiment 1 there were 45 participants, in experiment 2 there were 150 participants. All participants were American college students (university).
• experiment one- participants were shown 7 film clips of car crashes, after each clip they had to give an account of the accident. Participants were divided into 5 groups and given slightly different questions.
• experiment two- 150 students were shown accident clips and asked questions with different verbs 'hit,smashed,collided,bumped and contacted'. A week later the same students returned and were asked questions about the accidents they had seen.
• Findings- in experiment 1 students estimated that the cars had been travelling faster when the verb 'smashed' was used, and travelling slower when 'collided' was used. In experiment 2 students gave higher speed estimates in the 'smashed' condition.
• Method- a strength is that it demonstrates a casual relationship between the IV and DV. A weakness is that the study took place in an artificial setting, while its more ethical it lowers ecological validity
• Reliability- a strength is that Loftus and Palmer fully reported the procedures in the report so the study could be repeated. The study also used standardised procedures.
• Sample- a strength is that it involved a reasonable sample size(45) which increases external validity. A weakness is that students don't represent the general population, the sample was ethnocentric since only Americans were used, lowers external validity.
• Validity- a strength is that the extraneous variables are controlled, increasing the internal validity. A weakness is that the ecological validity is low since students watched film clips not a real accident.
• Ethical issues- Loftus and Palmer didn't gain valid consent, if participants were aware of the aims of the study their behaviour would have been affected.
• Social implications- the research has a wide effect on society, the results could lead to less money being spent on compensation as a result of wrongful imprisonment as the criminal justice system becomes more aware of the flaws with eyewitnesses.
• It is a strength because its a scientific approach, using controlled,artificial conditions to study memory recall. It is also not deterministic since CBT empowers the client to challenge their own negative thoughts and behaviours.
• It is a weakness because it has limited applications in some cases of mental illness, talking therapies aren't always effective with certain mental disorders. It also ignores the role of nature in mental illness.