A Level Psychology at Spalding Grammar School

Cognitive Psychology has been very influential since the 1970s. It looks at the rules behind thinking and thought processes like language, memory, decision-making and problem-solving.

• Comparative psychology is another branch of psychology that falls inside the Cognitive Approach. It looks at the thinking and behaviour of animals, to try to throw more light on the human mind.

The main assumption behind Cognitive Psychology is that human thinking is a logical, rational business that proceeds according to fixed rules. It's probably no coincidence that interest in Cognitive Psychology peaked at the time when personal computers were taking off. But is human thinking really like a super-powerful computer? When reading these studies, give some thought to the non-rational or emotional factors that influence how we think and act.

The other assumption made by Cognitive Psychology is that cognitions (thoughts) can be studied and measured. Now of course, we can't open people's heads up and see the thoughts going on inside so instead we have to observe their behaviour or collect self-reports from them in some way. Give some thought to how behaviour and self-reports can in fact be really bad guides to what people are actually thinking.

• Download and view the Cognitive Approach Slideshow
• Use the Lecture Handout to take notes
• Access the Cognitive Approach handout
• Access the Cognitive Studies handout

Reconstruction of automobile destruction

Click the picture to view the Loftus & Palmer page, where you will find a complete summary of the study, the slideshow and lecture notes along with other handouts and web links.

Another advanced test of theory of mind: evidence from very high-functioning adults with autism or Asperger Syndrome

Click the picture to view the Baron-Cohen page, where you can find a complete summary of the study, the slideshow and lecture notes along with other handouts and web links.

Spontaneous symbol acquisition and communicative use by Pygmy Chimpanzees

Click the picture to go to the Independent Study page where you will be able to research this study. Read the summary then download the slideshow and note-taking sheets. Then download and attempt the assessment questions.