Cognitive

Approach
Idriss Garba Musa
 What is Cognitive Approach?
 The cognitive approach refers to a perspective within psychology that
emphasizes the role of mental processes in behaviour and how individuals
process and interpret information from their environment. It is based on the
idea that our thoughts, perceptions, beliefs, and expectations influence our
behaviour and emotions.
 The cognitive approach suggests that individuals actively process information
from their environment, rather than simply responding to stimuli in a reflexive
manner. This processing involves a variety of mental processes, such as
attention, perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving.
 The cognitive approach has been applied to various fields within psychology,
including clinical psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology,
and educational psychology. Cognitive psychology has also contributed to the
development of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), which is a widely used
form of psychotherapy that helps individuals to identify and change negative
thought patterns and behaviours.
 The cognitive approach to psychology emerged in the mid-20th century as a
response to behaviourism, which had dominated psychology for several
decades. Behaviourism viewed psychology as the study of observable
behavior, and believed that all behaviour could be explained by the
environment and the rewards and punishments that it provides.
 The cognitive approach, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of
internal mental processes such as thinking, perception, memory, and attention.
The approach was influenced by developments in linguistics, computer
science, and neuroscience.
 One of the key figures in the development of the cognitive approach was Ulric Neisser, who
published a book called "Cognitive Psychology" in 1967. Neisser argued that psychology should
focus on the study of mental processes and that these processes should be studied using
experimental methods.
 Another important influence on the cognitive approach was the development of information
processing theory, which posited that the mind processes information in a series of stages, much like
a computer. This theory helped researchers understand how people process information, make
decisions, and solve problems.
The cognitive approach quickly became popular in psychology and has had a major impact on the
field ever since. Today, cognitive psychology is one of the most widely studied areas of psychology,
with research on topics such as memory, attention, perception, and problem solving.
 Theory of Language in Cognitive Approach
 In the cognitive approach, language is viewed as a complex cognitive process that
involves many mental processes, including perception, attention, memory, and
reasoning. The cognitive theory of language emphasizes that language is not simply a
set of learned responses, but rather a complex mental activity that involves a variety
of cognitive processes.
 One influential cognitive theory of language is the information processing model,
which proposes that language is processed in a series of stages, much like a computer.
This model suggests that when we hear or read a word, it first undergoes perceptual
processing, where it is recognized and identified. Then, the word is analysed and
decoded to access its meaning, which is stored in long-term memory. This meaning is
then integrated with our prior knowledge to form a mental representation of the
sentence or discourse.
 Another influential cognitive theory of language is the linguistic
relativity hypothesis, which suggests that the structure and content
of a person's language influences their thought processes and
perception of the world. This hypothesis proposes that language
shapes how we perceive and categorize the world around us, as well
as how we remember and think about events.
 Overall, the cognitive approach to language emphasizes the
importance of understanding the mental processes involved in
language use, as well as the influence of language on thought and
perception.
 Theory of Learning in Cognitive Approach
 The cognitive approach to learning emphasizes that learning is an active process that involves
the learner's mental processes, including perception, attention, memory, and reasoning. The
theory proposes that individuals actively process and organize information to create knowledge
and that this knowledge then guides behaviour.
 One key idea in the cognitive theory of learning is that learners actively construct their own
understanding of the world around them. This process is called constructivism, and it
emphasizes that learners are not passive recipients of information, but rather actively engage
with and construct their own knowledge based on their prior experiences and current
understandings.
 Another important concept in the cognitive theory of learning is the idea of schema. Schemas
are mental structures or frameworks that organize and represent knowledge. When individuals
encounter new information, they use their existing schemas to make sense of it, and may modify
their schemas or create new ones to accommodate new information.
The cognitive approach also emphasizes the importance of feedback in the
learning process. Feedback helps learners identify errors in their
understanding and adjust their mental representations accordingly. The
theory also emphasizes the role of practice and repetition in consolidating
learning and building strong memory traces.

Overall, the cognitive approach to learning highlights the importance of

understanding how learners actively process and organize information to
construct knowledge, and emphasizes the importance of feedback, practice,
and repetition in the learning process.
Objective of Cognitive Approach
The objective of the cognitive approach is to understand the mental processes involved in
human behaviour, including perception, attention, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and
decision-making. The cognitive approach aims to explain how people process and interpret
information from the environment, and how this information is used to guide behaviour.
One of the key goals of the cognitive approach is to develop models of cognitive processes
that can be tested through empirical research. These models help researchers understand
how people think and behave, and how mental processes are related to behavior.

Another important objective of the cognitive approach is to develop interventions that can
improve cognitive processes and promote positive behavior change. For example, cognitive-
behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of intervention that aims to change maladaptive thought
patterns and behaviors by teaching clients new cognitive and behavioral skills.
 Teacher’s Role in Cognitive Approach

The important role of the teacher in the cognitive approach is to help

students develop their cognitive skills, including perception, attention,
memory, and reasoning. Teachers can do this by providing opportunities for
students to practice these skills through hands-on activities, problem-
solving exercises, and other types of active learning.
 Another important role of the teacher in the cognitive approach is to help
students develop metacognitive skills, which are the skills involved in
monitoring and regulating one's own thinking and learning. Teachers can do
this by encouraging students to reflect on their own learning processes, set
learning goals, and monitor their own progress.
 The teacher in the cognitive approach also acts
as a guide or facilitator of learning, rather than an
authority figure who imparts knowledge to
students. Teachers encourage students to take
responsibility for their own learning and guide
them towards finding answers to their own
questions through inquiry-based learning.
 Overall, the teacher in the cognitive approach
plays a critical role in creating a supportive and
stimulating learning environment that fosters the
development of cognitive and metacognitive
skills, and encourages active learning and inquiry.
 Student’s Role in Cognitive Approach
 One important aspect of the student's role in the cognitive approach is to
engage in active learning, which involves actively participating in the learning
process through activities such as problem-solving, inquiry-based learning, and
critical thinking exercises. Active learning helps students to construct their own
understanding of the material and to develop metacognitive skills, such as self-
monitoring and self-regulation.
 Another important aspect of the student's role in the cognitive approach is to
take responsibility for their own learning. This involves setting learning goals,
monitoring their own progress, and seeking out feedback from teachers and
peers. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own learning processes and to
make adjustments to their approach as needed.
 The student's role in the cognitive approach also
involves being an active participant in class
discussions and activities, and collaborating with
peers to build knowledge and understanding.
Students are encouraged to share their ideas and
perspectives, ask questions, and engage in
constructive dialogue with others.
 Overall, the student's role in the cognitive
approach is to be an active, engaged learner who
takes responsibility for their own learning, engages
in active learning and inquiry, and collaborates with
others to construct knowledge and understanding.
 Advantages of Cognitive Approach

1. Emphasis on mental processes: The cognitive approach focuses on the mental processes that underlie
behaviour, which allows researchers to develop detailed models of how individuals think, reason, and
problem-solve.
2. Application to a wide range of fields: The cognitive approach has been applied to a wide range of fields,
including education, psychology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence, making it a versatile and
adaptable approach.
3. Development of effective interventions: The cognitive approach has led to the development of effective
interventions, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, which have been shown to be effective in treating a
wide range of mental health issues.
4. Research-based: The cognitive approach is grounded in empirical research, which provides a strong basis
for understanding and predicting human behaviour.
5. Integration of multiple perspectives: The cognitive approach integrates multiple perspectives, including
information processing, social cognitive, and cognitive neuroscience perspectives, which provides a
comprehensive and multi-faceted understanding of human behaviour.
 Disadvantages of Cognitive Approach

1. Overemphasis on internal processes: The cognitive approach places a heavy emphasis on internal
mental processes, which can lead to an underestimation of the role of external factors in shaping
behaviour.
2. Limited scope: The cognitive approach focuses primarily on cognitive processes, which can limit its
ability to explain complex behaviours that are influenced by social, cultural, and environmental
factors.
3. Difficulty in measuring mental processes: Measuring mental processes, such as attention and
memory, can be difficult, and reliance on self-report measures can lead to inaccuracies.
4. Lack of emphasis on emotion: The cognitive approach places less emphasis on emotional factors in
behaviour, which can limit its ability to explain emotional responses and reactions.
5. Limited applicability to diverse populations: Cognitive models and interventions may not be equally
effective for individuals from different cultural backgrounds, as cognitive processes may be
influenced by cultural factors.
Thank You