Essay
Psychology Approaches 16 marker
- Module
- Approaches
- Institution
- AQA
Psychology approaches essay. 16 marker - 'Describe and evaluate the cognitive approach'. Scored 16/16. For the AQA Psychology A-level course.
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Describe and evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining human behaviour. (16 marks)The cognitive approach makes the assumption that human behaviour is the result of internal mental
processes, which cannot be seen physically. Because of this, the cognitive approach uses theoretical
models to help understand specific mental processes. An example of a theoretical model is the
working memory model, which is an interpretation of short-term memory. The cognitive approach
also views the mind as being like a computer - we have an input (information from our senses) which
we then actively process to produce an output (behaviour). Finally, the cognitive approach believes
that our behaviour is influenced by our schemas - internal mental representations which help us
organise information and make sense of the world, based on our past experiences.
One strength of the cognitive approach is its use of the scientific method within research. For
example, many of the studies within the approach are lab studies conducted under controlled
conditions, such as Loftus and Palmer's (1974) study on the effects misleading questions have on
eyewitness testimonies. This means that behaviour is studied objectively using methods that eliminate
extraneous variables, allowing for cause-and-effect relationships to be established. Furthermore, the
cognitive approach also uses a standardised procedure, which means that it's easier for other
researchers to recreate the study and test for reliability. All of this means that the scientific credibility
of the approach is increased, and by association, the validity of findings from research regarding the
cognitive approach is increased, as the use of the scientific method suggests the data is objective and
factual.
However, a weakness of the cognitive approach is that it can be considered machine reductionist.
This is because it oversimplifies complex behaviours down to simple ideas and concepts, such as
schemas, and input-output processes. In reducing behaviour in this way, it ignores the other factors
that can influence human behaviour - like our genetics. For example, studies have found a link
between a faulty MAOA gene and aggression, but the cognitive approach doesn't take this into
consideration as it operates on the assumption that all human behaviour is the result of internal mental
processes. Therefore, we can consider the cognitive approach an incomplete explanation of human
behaviour as its limited focus on mental frameworks prevents a holistic understanding of the
complexity of human behaviour.
Finally, another strength of the cognitive approach is that it has practical applications to the real
world. For example, the cognitive approach was used by Ellis and Beck to create models to explain
the cause of depression - the ABC model and negative triad. These models then resulted in the
creation of CBT to treat depression. Research from Davids et al. has demonstrated the effectiveness of
CBT as a treatment for the disorder. As the therapy is based on models from the cognitive approach,
we can say that this increases the validity of the cognitive approach as an explanation for human
behaviour because the reworking of people's mental processes effectively treats depression,
supporting the assumption that behaviour is caused by our internal mental processes. Additionally, it
displays the usefulness for the approach outside of a theoretical sphere, as it has actual implications
for the real-world.
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