The cognitive approach
- Concerned with internal mental processes in explaining behaviour,
rather than external observable actions
- Believes behaviour should be studied objectively and experimentally
(like the behaviourist approach)
- Concerned with how thinking affects behaviour
- Assumes internal processes of the mind are of prime importance
when understanding behaviour
Assumptions
1. Computer analogy
o Computer:
Input: data
Processing: stores information
Output: retrieve the information
o Human mind
Input: senses
Processing: perception, language, attention, memory
Output: response/behaviour
o Example: the multi store model of memory
1. Sensory memory
First store where information enters through the senses
No attention = forgotten
Attention = transfers information to short – term
memory
2. Short term memory
Rehearsed a few times = transferred to long ter memory
Not rehearsed = forgotten
3. Long term memory
When the information is retrieved = shot term memory
Not retrieved = remains in long term memory
2. Internal mental processes making sense of the world
Human beings are information processors
All our cognitive processes work together in a split
second to help us understand the world around us
Main mental processes: perception, attention, language,
memory
o Example: levels of processing
PALM
According to the levels of processing theory, rehearsal is
not a sufficient explanation for creating long term
memories
, Research has demonstrated the cognitive processes
operating at the time of learning, determine whether
something is stored in the LTM
If you only process something superficially, it will not be
stored in LTM. Processing of information needs to be
deep & meaningful.
3. Schemas
A psychological representation of everything you know
about an object, person or event
These packets are built up through experiences
o Example: reconstructive memory
War of Ghosts (Bartlett, 1932)
Concluded we reconstruct events to fit in with our
existing schemas:
Shortening: parts of a memory that don’t fit in
with your schemas are left out
Rationalising: parts of a memory are recalled but
in a distorted way that fits your schema
Confabulation: parts of a memory are invented to
fill in ‘gaps’ – not deliberate, guided by your
schemas to make better sense of the memory
Therapy
- Cognitive approach = liberal determinism – what we think
determines how we behave. However, we have the free will to
change our thoughts, even if those thoughts are determined by our
up brining and culture
- CBT combines both cognitive and behaviourist techniques
o Cognitive elements – the therapist works with the client to
help them identify negative thoughts
o Behavioural elements – the therapist encourages the client to
engage testing during session or as homework
o Aim: to irrational thought patterns with rational thought
patterns
Identify the thought
Challenge the thought
Replace the thought
- 3 main components:
1. Dysfunctional thought diary
o As homework clients are asked to keep a record of the events
leading up to any unpleasant emotions experienced
o They write down automatic negative thoughts and rate then
on how much they believe in these thoughts
- Concerned with internal mental processes in explaining behaviour,
rather than external observable actions
- Believes behaviour should be studied objectively and experimentally
(like the behaviourist approach)
- Concerned with how thinking affects behaviour
- Assumes internal processes of the mind are of prime importance
when understanding behaviour
Assumptions
1. Computer analogy
o Computer:
Input: data
Processing: stores information
Output: retrieve the information
o Human mind
Input: senses
Processing: perception, language, attention, memory
Output: response/behaviour
o Example: the multi store model of memory
1. Sensory memory
First store where information enters through the senses
No attention = forgotten
Attention = transfers information to short – term
memory
2. Short term memory
Rehearsed a few times = transferred to long ter memory
Not rehearsed = forgotten
3. Long term memory
When the information is retrieved = shot term memory
Not retrieved = remains in long term memory
2. Internal mental processes making sense of the world
Human beings are information processors
All our cognitive processes work together in a split
second to help us understand the world around us
Main mental processes: perception, attention, language,
memory
o Example: levels of processing
PALM
According to the levels of processing theory, rehearsal is
not a sufficient explanation for creating long term
memories
, Research has demonstrated the cognitive processes
operating at the time of learning, determine whether
something is stored in the LTM
If you only process something superficially, it will not be
stored in LTM. Processing of information needs to be
deep & meaningful.
3. Schemas
A psychological representation of everything you know
about an object, person or event
These packets are built up through experiences
o Example: reconstructive memory
War of Ghosts (Bartlett, 1932)
Concluded we reconstruct events to fit in with our
existing schemas:
Shortening: parts of a memory that don’t fit in
with your schemas are left out
Rationalising: parts of a memory are recalled but
in a distorted way that fits your schema
Confabulation: parts of a memory are invented to
fill in ‘gaps’ – not deliberate, guided by your
schemas to make better sense of the memory
Therapy
- Cognitive approach = liberal determinism – what we think
determines how we behave. However, we have the free will to
change our thoughts, even if those thoughts are determined by our
up brining and culture
- CBT combines both cognitive and behaviourist techniques
o Cognitive elements – the therapist works with the client to
help them identify negative thoughts
o Behavioural elements – the therapist encourages the client to
engage testing during session or as homework
o Aim: to irrational thought patterns with rational thought
patterns
Identify the thought
Challenge the thought
Replace the thought
- 3 main components:
1. Dysfunctional thought diary
o As homework clients are asked to keep a record of the events
leading up to any unpleasant emotions experienced
o They write down automatic negative thoughts and rate then
on how much they believe in these thoughts
