Cognitive Approach

• Cognitive dissonance -> feeling of discomfort when choosing between two equally attractive options, e.g. smoking for pleasure but knowing it is unhealthy. Resolve dissonance by changing behaviour (healthy) or changing belief (unhealthy).
• Professional biases -> Some healthcare professionals may have unconscious biases that affect their decision-making. Racial and gender bias may mean diagnosis is less accurate, clients get less time. Biases are cognitive because they are stereotypes.
• Evaluation of cognitive approach to health (positive) -> practical uses (become aware of unhealthy decisions (e.g. comfort eating) and do something healthier (e.g. social support), support for effectiveness (smokers who experienced dissonance were more likely to change behaviour, Simmons and Brandon, 2007).
• Evaluation of cognitive approaches to health (negatives) -> incomplete explanation.