The Cognitive Approach

• Cognitive psychology is a pure science, based mainly on laboratory experiments.
• Behaviour can be largely explained in terms of how the mind operates, i.e. the information processing approach.
• The mind works in a way similar to a computer: inputting, storing and retrieving data.
• Mediational processes occur between stimulus and response.
• Humans actively organise and manipulate information from the environment.

Cognitive approach adopts the use of scientific,experimental methods to measure mental processes and rejects the Psychodynamic use of introspection. Cognitive approach emphasises on the importance of mental processes such as beliefs,desires and motivation in determining behaviour unlike the behaviourist approach.

The information processing is likened to a computer with the mind being the software and the brain the hardware. Humans are likened to a computer in that we both encode information,store and produce an output . The information process model can be used to explain several behaviours .(swimming )

In eyewitness testimony cognitive psychologist have helped the police to understand the different ways in which individuals process and recall information . The development of cognitive interview techniques has enabled eyewitness to provide a more reliable account of the crime scene.

• Lab Experiments
• Interviews (Kohlberg, Piaget)
• Observations (Piaget)
• Computer Modelling

• Scientific
• Highly applicable
• Combines easily with approaches: behaviourism to create treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy in treating depression.
• Many empirical studies to support theories

• Ignores biology (e.g. testosterone)
• Many cognitive theories are based on the performance of artificial lab task therefore unrepresentative of everyday behaviour.( low ecological validity)
• Humans are viewed as machines with the comparison to computers, therefore its reductionist.
• Cognitive has been criticised as over simplistic- ignoring the complexities of the mind