Cognitive approach

Main assumptions of the cognitive approach.

• Information is processed through the same route in all humans: input - process - output, in a similar way to how information is processed by a computer.
• People have individual differences in their cognitive processing such as with attention, language, thinking and memory. These processes can also help to explain behaviour and emotion.

This matters because cognitive approach - main assumptions determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply cognitive approach - main assumptions to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Cognitive approach - main assumptions is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Andrade (doodling).

• Andrade, J (2010), What does doodling do? Applied Cognitive Psychology, 24(1): 100-6.
• The study by Andrade explored the idea that doodling can assist a person's concentration and memory. This was investigated in a laboratory experiment.
• The psychology being investigated includes: attention; memory.
• For this study, candidates should understand the background, aims, procedure and methodology as appropriate (research method, sample and demographics, sampling technique, experimental design, controls, question types, data-collection technique, and measured and manipulated variables), ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative results and their representation and interpretation, conclusions, and strengths and weaknesses; describe and evaluate the methodology; and relate the study to psychological issues and debates.

This matters because andrade (doodling) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply andrade (doodling) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Andrade (doodling) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test).

• Baron-Cohen, S, Wheelwright, S, Hill, J, Raste, Y and Plumb, I (2001), The 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' Test revised version: a study with normal adults, and adults with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 42(2): 241-51.
• The study by Baron-Cohen et al. investigated theory of mind in adults including those with Asperger syndrome or autism. The study aimed to improve the original 1997 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' Test, a questionnaire that was completed online. The research methods used in this study included experiments and correlations.
• The psychology being investigated includes: theory of mind; social sensitivity.
• For this study, candidates should understand the background, aims, procedure and methodology as appropriate (research method, sample and demographics, sampling technique, experimental design, controls, question types, data-collection technique, and measured and manipulated variables), ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative results and their representation and interpretation, conclusions, and strengths and weaknesses; describe and evaluate the methodology; and relate the study to psychological issues and debates.

This matters because baron-cohen et al. (eyes test) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply baron-cohen et al. (eyes test) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Pozzulo et al. (line-ups).

• Pozzulo, J D, Dempsey, J, Bruer, K and Sheahan, C (2011), The Culprit in Target-Absent Lineups: Understanding Young Children's False Positive Responding. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 27(1): 55-62.
• The study by Pozzulo et al. investigated factors affecting memory for target faces in a line-up, as used in identification of a criminal by an eyewitness. This was tested using the faces of cartoon characters and humans. The laboratory experiment also made comparisons between adults and children and used interviews and questionnaires as techniques.
• The psychology being investigated includes: false positive responses; eyewitness testimony.
• For this study, candidates should understand the background, aims, procedure and methodology as appropriate (research method, sample and demographics, sampling technique, experimental design, controls, question types, data-collection technique, and measured and manipulated variables), ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative results and their representation and interpretation, conclusions, and strengths and weaknesses; describe and evaluate the methodology; and relate the study to psychological issues and debates.

This matters because pozzulo et al. (line-ups) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply pozzulo et al. (line-ups) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Pozzulo et al. (line-ups) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.