COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY APPROACH ASSUMPTIONS STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY APPROACH ASSUMPTIONS STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

ASSUMPTION 1. That behaviour can be explained in terms of how the mind operates Acquisition of language Theory of mind Eye-witness testimony

ASSUMPTION 2. That what happens in the mind can be studied using the scientific approach experiments Baron-Cohen et al. eyes task – theory of mind Formal tests and controls in Savage-Rumbaugh - language Affect of language on memory

SECTION C EXAM QUESTION Outline one assumption of the cognitive approach in psychology [2] That behaviour can be explained in terms of how the mind operates. For example, in the study by . Choose the study that is referred to in the next part of the question

SECTION C EXAM QUESTION This can be explained by seeing in the study by: SavageRumbaugh et al. Loftus and Palmer Baron-Cohen et al. Describe how the cognitive approach could explain acquisition of language Describe how the cognitive approach could explain memory Describe how the cognitive approach could explain autism

SECTION C Describe one similarity and one difference between: Loftus and Palmer and any other study Baron-Cohen et al. and any other study Savage-Rumbaugh et al. and any other study

STRENGTH 1 The approach has lots of useful applications What is useful about Baron-Cohen’s research? What is useful about Loftus and Palmer’s research? What is useful about Savage-Rumbaugh’s research?

STRENGTH 2 Cognitive approach is studied using scientific methods. Theories proposed by cognitive psychologists about the causes of different behaviours are testable

WEAKNESS 1 REDUCTIONISM!! The cognitive approach can ignore social, motivational and emotional factors that could affect behaviour. What could Loftus have ignored? What could Baron-Cohen have ignored? What could Savage-Rumbaugh have ignored? What is the word for this?

WEAKNESS 2 Because cognitive psychology uses scientific methods it can sometimes lack .? Ecological Validity!!

SECTION C EXAM Discuss the strengths and limitations of the cognitive approach Using examples from Loftus and Palmer Baron-Cohen et al. Savage-Rumbaugh et al.