AO3

• What is a strength(lab studies and AI)

  -CA is scientific and the use of lab studies is objective systematic and replicable

  -this means researchers are able to draw conclusions about how the mind works. Cognitive psychology has made important contributions to the field of AI and the development of thinking robots

  -therefore the cognitive approach has made a positive contribution in the field of psych and had a positive impact on the lives of many.
• What is another strength of the cognitive approach?(scanning)

  -Has allowed us to collect evidence using fMRI and PET scanning which help us to understand the underlying neural basis of cognitive functions.

  -this has led to quicker diagnosis of issues and more effective treatments

  -therefore the cog approach has made a positive contribution to our understanding of human behaviour
• what is another strength(understanding psych disorders and CBT)

  -made substantial improvements to our understanding of psychological disorders caused by distorted thoughts

  -this has led to the use of CBT

  -CBT has been found to be 52% effective when treating depression

  -therefore the CA has had a postive impact on mental health treatment
• What is positive of the CA(machine reductionism)


  -theoretical models have helped clarify our understanding of human cognition and have progressively improved over time.

  -However many of the models may be oversimplification of complex processes and therefore could lack validity.

  -Although the CA may tell us how the different cognitive process take place they do not tell us why

  -the role of motivation and emotion are ignored. These factors may be irrelevant to a computer but not to human.

  -this is known as machine reductionism
• What is another weakness of the ca (computers make no mistakes)


  -a limitation of the computer model is that computers do not make mistakes nor do they ignore available info or forget things

  -on the other hand humans do all of these things

  -however Newell and Simon (1972) stated that whilst computers are better at remembering they are inferior at planning future moves.

  -this in turn led to an improvement in computer models of problem solving behaviour