AO3

• Strength -> uses objective, scientific methods:

  • cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled + rigorous methods of study -> means researchers can infer cognitive processes at work
  • it has involved the use of lab studies to produce reliable objective data
  • in addition -> emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled two fields of biology + cognitive psychology to come together to enhance scientific basis of study
  • means study had credible scientific basis
• Counterpoint -> relies on influence of mental processes rather than direct observation of behaviour

  • can occasionally suffer from being too abstract + theoretical in nature
  • similarly, research studies of mental processes are often carried out using artificial stimuli such as memory tests involving word lists that may not represent everyday experience
  • THEREFORE -> research lacks external validity
• Limitation -> based on machine reductionism:

  • similarities between human mind + operations of a 'thinking machine' such as computer (inputs + outputs)
  • however, computer analogy has been criticised -> such machine reductionism ignores influence of human emotion + motivation on the cognitive system + this may affect our ability to process info
  • e.g. research has found that human memory may be affected by emotional factors such as influence of anxiety on eyewitness testimony
  • suggests that machine reductionism may weaken the validity of the cognitive approach