The Cognitive Approach- 16 Mark Model Answers
Outline key features of the cognitive approach in psychology. Compare the cognitive approach with the psychodynamic approach.
(Total 16 marks)
Model Answer
The cognitive approach in psychology encompasses key features such as the recognition that both conscious and unconscious thoughts influence behavior. It posits that thought processes mediate between stimuli and responses, operating as an information processing system akin to a computer. The cognitive approach adopts models to understand mental processes, emphasising that the human mind actively processes information. Additionally, it asserts that mental processes can be scientifically studied, contributing to a systematic understanding of cognition. The cognitive approach views individuals as conscious, logical thinkers, focusing on the intellectual and cognitive development stages, including moral development from early childhood to adolescence.
A pivotal distinction between the cognitive and psychodynamic approaches emerges in their treatment of conscious versus unconscious thought. The cognitive approach characterises individuals as conscious, logical thinkers, placing prominence on the rational processing of information. In contrast, the psychodynamic approach, while acknowledging the conscious level, places a primary focus on the unconscious, delving into the hidden realms of instinctual drives, emotions, and repressed memories.
Another noteworthy difference lies in their treatment of emotions and childhood experiences. The cognitive approach adopts an information processing approach, largely sidelining emotions in its pursuit of understanding mental processes. In contrast, the psychodynamic approach distinctly emphasises the role of emotions and early life experiences, positing that these factors significantly shape an individual's psyche and subsequent behaviours.
A crucial divergence between the cognitive and psychodynamic approaches lies in their conceptualisation of the individual's role and the nature of determinism. The cognitive approach asserts that individuals engage in active processing of information, highlighting the role of conscious, logical thought processes. This perspective aligns with an element of free will or soft determinism, suggesting that individuals have a degree of autonomy in their decision-making and behaviour.
Conversely, the psychodynamic approach portrays the individual as more passive, with behaviour determined by unconscious forces, conflicts, and early life experiences. Freudian psychoanalysis, a cornerstone of the psychodynamic approach, often leans towards a deterministic viewpoint, positing that unconscious drives and unresolved conflicts dictate behaviour.
Describe the cognitive approach in psychology.
Evaluate the research methods used by cognitive psychologists.(Total 16 marks)
Model Answer
The cognitive approach in psychology focuses on the study of mental processes to understand human behaviour. According to this perspective, cognitive processes mediate between stimuli and responses, emphasising the importance of internal mental processes in shaping how individuals perceive, think, and behave. The cognitive approach often draws an analogy between human information processing and computer operations, conceptualising the mind as having input, storage, and retrieval systems, similar to the hardware and software of a computer.
Cognitive psychologists frequently employ models to explain internal processes, proposing stage-based processing to understand how information is received, processed, and stored. The approach advocates for the scientific study of human behaviour, asserting that cognitive processes must be examined systematically to truly comprehend behaviour.
One notable strength of the research methods used in this approach is that it has scientific rigour. Scientific rigor refers to the strict adherence to established scientific principles and methods in the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of research. It involves maintaining high standards of precision, accuracy, reliability, and validity to ensure that the results of a study are credible and can withstand scrutiny within the scientific community. This control facilitates the precise manipulation of conditions to observe specific cognitive processes. This is a strength as it is essential for producing trustworthy and replicable findings, contributing to the overall integrity of scientific research.
However, a weakness of using scientific methods when studying cognitive processes is due to issues of ecological validity. Ecological validity refers to the extent to which the results of a study or experiment can be generalised and applied to real-world, everyday settings.
The controlled environment may not fully capture the complexities of everyday cognitive functioning, posing a limitation to the external validity of cognitive research. Therefore, while the cognitive approach offers valuable insights into mental processes, researchers must carefully consider the trade-off between control and ecological validity in their methodological choices.
