Outline the key features of the
cognitive approach. Compare the
cognitive approach to the
psychodynamic approach. [16 marks]
The cognitive approach focuses on the
examination of our internal mental processes
such as perception, memory, attention and
consciousness. This approach bases on the
assumptions that behaviour is influenced by
thoughts (can be both conscious and
unconscious) that should and can be scientifically
and objectively studied. However, as these
processes are internal and it cant be directly
studied, cognitive psychologists have to make
inferences based on the observation of human
behaviour. To assist these inferences,
psychologists created theoretical models which
are simplified, usually pictorial, models that often
include boxes and arrows to show links between
the causes and effects of the stages of a
particular mental process. For instance, the
computer model that was developed in which
computer analogies are used as a representation
of human cognition, suggesting that there is a
similarity in the way information is processed.
Another key feature of the cognitive approach
are schemas. Schemas are cognitive frameworks
that help us organise and interpret information in
the brain. They are a significant part of the
cognitive approach as they can contribute to
stereotypes and make it difficult to retain new
cognitive approach. Compare the
cognitive approach to the
psychodynamic approach. [16 marks]
The cognitive approach focuses on the
examination of our internal mental processes
such as perception, memory, attention and
consciousness. This approach bases on the
assumptions that behaviour is influenced by
thoughts (can be both conscious and
unconscious) that should and can be scientifically
and objectively studied. However, as these
processes are internal and it cant be directly
studied, cognitive psychologists have to make
inferences based on the observation of human
behaviour. To assist these inferences,
psychologists created theoretical models which
are simplified, usually pictorial, models that often
include boxes and arrows to show links between
the causes and effects of the stages of a
particular mental process. For instance, the
computer model that was developed in which
computer analogies are used as a representation
of human cognition, suggesting that there is a
similarity in the way information is processed.
Another key feature of the cognitive approach
are schemas. Schemas are cognitive frameworks
that help us organise and interpret information in
the brain. They are a significant part of the
cognitive approach as they can contribute to
stereotypes and make it difficult to retain new
