Cognitive

• Behaviour


  Explained in terms of cognitive processing, people think differently causing them to behave differently
• Schemas


  Mental frameworks for organising information
• Cognitive approach


  Based on the information processing model because the brain processes information similar to a computer. Both brain and computer receive inputs, process the information and produce outputs.
• Information processing model


  1. Receive inputs

  2. Process the information

  3. Produce outputs
• Hypotheses


  Can be worked out from theoretical models being tested using experiments
• Cognitive approach


  • Emphasises on scientific methods by extensive use of experimental methods allowing researcher to reach valid and reliable conclusions about behaviour and its causes
  • Experiments can often be carried out with artificial stimuli and therefore lack ecological validity
• Applications of cognitive approach


  Understanding of mental disorders which has enabled the development of various different types of therapy such as CBT
• The cognitive approach provides a mechanistic explanation to behaviour and ignores the role of emotion in behaviour
• Cognitive neuroscience 


  The objective scientific study of the brain using scans such as fMRI.