Cognitive Approach

Section 1: Understanding the Cognitive Approach

  • The cognitive approach in psychology focuses on the mental processes like memory, perception, thinking, and problem-solving.
  • It implies that our thoughts and perceptions influence our behaviour and emotions.
  • Cognitive psychologists believe that mental information processing can be compared with computer processing. This is often referred to as the information processing model.

Section 2: Role of Memory

  • Memory plays a crucial role in the cognitive approach.
  • Memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and amnesia can greatly impact an individual’s health and ability to function.
  • Techniques to improve memory, known as memory strategies (e.g., chunking, mnemonic devices, repetition) can be used to enhance cognitive health.

Section 3: Perception and Health

  • Our perceptions of ourselves and our health can greatly influence our health behaviours. This is often considered within the realm of health psychology.
  • For example, if an individual perceives themselves as a healthy person, they are more likely to engage in healthy behaviours such as exercise and eating a balanced diet.
  • Cognitive biases, like the optimism bias, can also affect health behaviour. This bias leads people to believe they are less likely to experience negative health events compared to others.

Section 4: Thinking and Problem-Solving

  • The cognitive approach also focuses on thinking, decision making, and problem-solving skills.
  • These can be particularly pertinent in health-based contexts, such as deciding whether to seek medical help, or how to manage a chronic illness.
  • Deficits in these areas can also contribute to psychological issues such as anxiety and depression.

Section 5: Cognitive Therapy

  • Cognitive therapy is a type of therapy that seeks to change negative thought patterns, and is primarily used to treat mental health disorders.
  • Techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are based on this approach.
  • The therapy aims to help individuals challenge and change their detrimental thought patterns to improve their emotional response and behaviour. It’s extensively used in treatment of conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.