Discuss strengths + weaknesses cognitive approach (10)

• Strength 1:

  One major strength of the cognitive approach is its focus on internal mental processes, such as perception, memory, and attention, which were ignored by the behaviourist approach. This has led to valuable practical applications, such as improvements in memory through the use of retrieval cues, and treatments for mental disorders like depression through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Evidence from research by Piaget on cognitive development has influenced educational practice by showing that younger children need concrete examples to learn effectively. Similarly, Loftus’s work on eyewitness testimony has reshaped police interviewing, highlighting the power of cognitive psychology in real-world settings. These applications demonstrate the approach’s strong explanatory power and real-life usefulness.
• Weakness:

  However, a key weakness is that the cognitive approach can be overly mechanistic, treating the mind like a computer and ignoring important social and emotional influences. For instance, while cognitive therapy might focus on restructuring negative thought patterns in depression, it may overlook environmental causes such as trauma and poverty. Furthermore, human cognition is deeply influenced by emotion - unlike a computer, people do not always recall or process information logically. This reduces the approach’s validity, as it simplifies the complexity of human behaviour and fails to capture the full richness of lived experience.
• Conclusion:

  In conclusion, although the cognitive approach has made significant scientific and practical contributions to psychology, its failure to incorporate emotional and social factors limits its overall explanatory power. A more holistic view may be needed to fully understand human thought and behaviour.