Evaluation of the Cognitive Approach you should leave the lesson being able to answer the questions below to your MTG 3a Evaluate two strengths of the cognitive approach [6] 3b Evaluate two weaknesses of the cognitive approach [6]

Today’s Lesson Q3: Strengths and weaknesses (evaluation) of the Cognitive approach Be able to answer question 3 to your MTG

Today’s Lesson Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the cognitive approach using: – NNURDS – The debates – Usefulness – The scientific nature of the approach – The computer analogy

First thoughts With the person next to you, come up with one strength or one weakness of the cognitive approach

In three groups In three groups, you will have one of the debates (not nature/nurture) In your group, you need to decide where on that debate does the cognitive approach stand. How is this a strength and a weakness? Speed date!

How useful is it? Applied vs pure cognitive psychology Therapy Legal system Healthcare

Is it Scientific? One of the assumptions “Psychology is a science” Read the scientific criteria, provide evidence to explain why the cognitive approach is scientific

Other evaluation What are the limitations of the computer analogy? Read back through all the evaluation points on this handout. Highlight in two different colours the strengths and the weaknesses. Make sure to write down a key somewhere to help you when you revise.

Draw the table on page 16 on a sheet of A4 Use the following evaluation points (or any others that you prefer) to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the Cognitive approach. You should be used to this format by now!!

Two strengths and two weaknesses of the Cognitive approach: Strength 1 Scientific First mark One strength is: Second mark Evidence (e.g): Third mark This is a strength because: Strength 2 Useful Weakness 1 Reductionist (simplistic) First mark One weakness is: Second mark Evidence: (e.g). Third mark this is a weakness because: Weakness 2 Mechanistic

Strength 1 Scientific First mark One strength is: Exp research. Establish cause and effect, well controlled enables use of specialised equipment. Second mark Evidence (e.g): Research using computer models to investigate memory (MSM) Third mark This is a strength because: High levels of control allow for reliable research which can be generalised to how everybody's memory works Strength 2 Useful Weakness 1 Reductionist (simplistic) Weakness 2 Mechanistic

Strength 1 Scientific First mark One strength is: Second mark Evidence (e.g): Third mark This is a strength because: Strength 2 Useful Many real life applications based on the assumptions that internal mental processes like thoughts and perceptions affect behaviour. CBT most effective way of treating depression based on ass of faulty thinking. Cog interview based on the ass that leading ? Alter our perceptions of a crime. It suggests that the cognitive approach has an important and effective role to play in treating mental illness and has brought about positive changes in the criminal justice system. Weakness 1 Reductionist (simplistic) Weakness 2 Mechanistic

Strength 1 Scientific Strength 2 Useful Weakness 1 Reductionist (simplistic) One weakness is: Oversimplifies human behaviour by ignoring social and emotional factors involved in internal mental processes which lead to behaviour. Evidence: (e.g). Attribution theory suggests we attribute only two causes to behaviour (situational/dispositional). Based on our perceptions of behaviour. This is a weakness because: Research has shown that this is not always the case, suggesting that human behaviour is not as simple as the cognitive approach suggests. Weakness 2 Mechanistic

Strength 1 Scientific First mark One strength is: Second mark Evidence (e.g): Third mark This is a strength because: Strength 2 Useful Weakness 1 Reductionist (simplistic) Weakness 2 Mechanistic Explains human behaviour as being like a machine. Information processors (input- process-output) Based on computer models, Atkinson and Shiffrin MSM of memory and Attribution theory. Humans are much more complex than machines we do not always behave in a predictable way. Sometimes people surprise us!

Assessment check How much do you have to write?

Today’s Lesson Strengths and weaknesses (evaluation) of the Cognitive approach Be able to answer question 3 to your MTG