Cognitive approach

• Assumptions:

  1. the mind is like a computer
  2. our internal mental processes influence our behaviour
  3. we can study these internal mental processes scientifically in a lab setting
• Key feature 1: Internal mental processes

  • believe thoughts influence behaviour
  • study them indirectly via inference - private operations of the mind
• Key feature 2: use of computer + theoretical models to make inferences about mental processes

  • theoretical model is used to provide a visual representation of internal mental processes + help to make inferences
  • computer model is where the mind is compared to a computer + this is used to explain how human thoughts work
  • The multi-store model of memory
• Key feature 3: inference

  • draw conclusions about people's internal mental processes based on the behaviours we can see
• Key feature 4: Schemas

  • pre-existing building block of knowledge that is built up through our own experiences - help us to understand how to interpret information
• Key feature 5: the emergence of cognitive neuroscience

  • emerged with improvements in technology such as FMRI scans
  • the term neuroscience was invented by George Miller in the 1970s
  • Useful in real world as it allowed us to look at the neurological basis of certain psychological disorders e.g. OCD - found increased activity in orbitofrontal cortex
• Cognitive approach A03: STRENGTH

  I: supporting evidence for the role of inferences + computer models

  E: Peterson + Peterson - gave participants 3 letters to remember + repeated with different letter - found short-term memory duration was between 18-30 seconds

  C: shows internal mental processes can be studied scientifically using inferences - valid way of understanding human thought process
• Cognitive approach A03: WEAKNESS

  I: uses inferences

  E: internal mental processes are private operations of the mind so they cannot be physically seen + therefore relying on the use of theoretical/computer models + for psychologists to infer what is going on which may be incorrect or with bias.

  C: not all aspects of the approach are objective so it cannot be concluded that thoughts influence behaviour
• Cognitive approach A03: WEAKNESS

  I: machine reductionist

  E: behaviour is broken down into the processing system of a computer - can simplify thought process

  however, the human mind is more complex than a computer as we have human emotion such as anxiety which can impair out cognitive process such as decision making + memory

  C: it is too simplistic + fails to consider the other factors that could contribute to behaviour such as emotions, learning + biology
• Cognitive approach A03: STRENGTH

  I: practical applications in form of CBT for depression

  E: cognitive behavioural therapy aims to identify negative schemas + faulty thinking. The therapist helps to dispute these thoughts + create a positive schema - most successful therapy for depression

  C: led to therapies which can support individuals with mental health conditions, having a positive impact on themselves + their families - also positive economic implications - can help individuals go back to work