Cognitive Approach - A03

Question 1

Strength - scientific and objective methods

Answer 1

• employs controlled and rigorous methods of study like controlled lab studies
• two fields of cognitive psychology and biology come together to enhance the scientific basis of study
• this means that the study of the mind has established a credible scientific basis.

Question 2

Limitation - Machine reductionism

Answer 2

• regardless of the similarities between the computer and the mind, the computer analogy has been criticised.
• e.g emotion and motivation is seen to influence recall but this is not considered in the computer analogy.
• this suggests that the machine reductionism may weaken the validity of the approach.

Question 3

Strength - real life application

Answer 3

• cognitive approach is dominant in psychology today and has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts.
• AI, the development of robots, treatment of depression and improving eyewitness testimony.
• this increases the value of the approach.