5.2.2

Cognitive Approach

Test yourself

Cognitive Approach: Strengths and Weaknesses

There are several different approaches to the study of psychology: psychodynamic, cognitive, biological, and learning.

Illustrative background for Strength - specific mental processesIllustrative background for Strength - specific mental processes ?? "content

Strength - specific mental processes

  • Many of the other approaches overlook the specific mental processes that happen during learning.
  • The cognitive approach examines these.
    • For example, the multi-store model of memory examines the specific roles of each type of memory store.
Illustrative background for Strength - development of therapies Illustrative background for Strength - development of therapies  ?? "content

Strength - development of therapies

  • As with the psychodynamic approach, therapies based on the cognitive approach have been developed.
  • Cognitive behaviour therapy allows patients to examine their thinking (cognition) to alter their behaviour.
  • This makes this approach useful and applicable.
Illustrative background for Weakness - lacking ecological validityIllustrative background for Weakness - lacking ecological validity ?? "content

Weakness - lacking ecological validity

  • As many of the experiments take place in a laboratory setting, they lack ecological validity.
  • In other words, the settings are highly artificial (like computer models) so may not apply to real life situations.
Illustrative background for Weakness - differencesIllustrative background for Weakness - differences ?? "content

Weakness - differences

  • The cognitive approach has a failure because it does not take into account individual differences in cognition.
  • People may differ in their mental processes.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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