Cognitive

• Mediational processes:

  Focuses on important processes that occur between stimulus & response. Explain how important mediational processes such as perception & memory affect way we respond to world around us (unlike behaviourists). Helped explain practical elements of human behaviour e.g, cognitive psychologists look at ways of improving memory using retrieval cues. This research shows why we need shopping lists before going to supermarket.
• Scientific:

  Objective & controlled scientific research. E.g, memory research conducted under strict lab conditions with brain scanning techniques (e.g, PET, MRI) to pinpoint specific areas of brain involved in short & long-term memory. This is cognitive neuroscience- pinpoints exact biological mechanisms involved in our cognitive processes. Establish exact responsibilities of different areas of brain in relation to cognitive processes. Causal relationships between emotions, cognitions & behaviours predicted. Can also try understand what brain does at rest.
• Important contributions:

  CBT & developmental psychology. E.g, theories about how kid's thinking develops have guided teaching practices in schools. Advanced memory research e.g, Loftus & Palmer eye-witness testimony research had impact-leading questions abolished during police interviews.
• Piaget (1970):

  Developed theory suggesting kid's thinking is not same as adult's. Kids 8/9 years old can't think in the abstract. If they want to solve maths problem, they need to see it in concrete form such as manipulating counting sticks. Major effect on teaching in primary schools as teachers realised it was important to use concrete examples with younger kids.
• Ignores nature & nurture:

  Does consider influence of internal & external factors on behaviour (processes in mind & role of experience in formation of schemas).Role of genes in human cognition ignored yet research into intelligence consistently looks at influence of genes through twin studies. Important social & cultural factors (nurture) often ignored-unrealistic. E.g, in cognitive development field theorists such as Piaget didn't consider role of culture & gender on development of thinking in kids.
• Mechanistic approach:

  Portrays human behaviour as being like machine. Ignore social & emotional factors. E.g, depressed person may have faulty thinking patterns that can be changed however cause of depression may lie in significant life events. Changing thinking patterns may help person, but doesn't change environmental stimuli or social situation causing emotions they feel. Ignores role emotions play in influencing cognitive processes- computer not influenced by emotion & will recall info exactly as it's inputted (not same for humans).
• Some aspects non-scientific & non falsifiable (hard to prove schemas & computer analogy ideas as they're abstract). Have to measure things indirectly.