Apply assumptions to explain a variety of behaviours

The Cognitive Approach assumes that human behaviour is primarily driven by mental processes, particularly those related to information processing.
For instance, our decision to engage in an activity could be influenced by how we process information about the potential benefits and risks associated with the activity.

Our perception of the world and how we pay attention to stimuli can be influenced by our cognitive biases and schemas.
For example, the cocktail party effect suggests that we are able to focus our auditory attention on a particular stimulus while filtering out a range of other stimuli. This shows how cognitive processes can dictate what we pay attention to and thus, impact our behaviour.

Memory is a key aspect of cognition and can greatly influence our behaviour. For example, if we remember previous positive outcomes associated with a certain behaviour, we are more likely to repeat it.
On the contrary, if we remember negative or undesirable outcomes, we may avoid that particular behaviour altogether.

Language also plays a significant role in our cognitive processes. The way people frame and interpret language and information can influence their decision-making process.
An example is the framing effect, where people make different decisions based on how the same fact or question is presented (‘75% lean meat’ versus ‘25% fat’).

Our behavioural responses to problems are influenced by how we think and mentally process situational information.
For instance, if we are faced with a complex problem, we may use heuristics which are cognitive shortcuts that simplify decision making. These can lead to both beneficial outcomes and cognitive biases.

Applying these assumptions about cognitive processes can provide valuable insights into behavioural patterns and offer potential strategies for behavioural change.
However, these assumptions often ignore emotional, motivational, and personality factors which can also significantly influence behaviour.
They also assume that cognitive processes are uniform across individuals, generally overlooking variations due to cultural, social or individual differences.

Key theorists such as Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and Albert Ellis have used these assumptions to develop theories and therapeutic approaches in areas such as intellectual development and cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Concepts such as cognitive dissonance, schema theory, and attribution theory are valuable tools in explaining and predicting a wide array of human behaviours using the cognitive approach.