Cognitive psychology studies how we process information. It looks at how we input information, how we process it and how we retrieve or use it. Some psychologists believe that the brain works like a computer following the procedure of input-process/storage-output.
The areas of interest include memory, forgetting, perception, language and attention.
Strengths:
- High control: a lot of the research is conducted in laboratories as it is based on a scientific approach; therefore, extraneous variables can be controlled, making the findings more reliable.
- Useful: it is helpful in terms of being able to improve everyday life in humans by making memory and eyewitness testimony better.
- Replicable: since most studies are carried in laboratories, the procedures are very standardized, making it easy to test for reliability.
Weaknesses:
- Subjective: as cognitive psychologists are studying processed information which cannot be seen directly, there is still an element of guesswork and interference.
- Reductionist: comparing the brain system to the one of a computer is very reductionist because it ignores the role of emotional and social factors on our processing of information.
- Low ecological validity: most studies are carried in laboratories, making the environment artificial; therefore, participants are likely to be affected by demand characteristics.
CIE A Level Psychology 