Compare the Cognitive Approach with the Individual Differences Approach. Use Examples of Psychological Research to Support Your Answer

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The cognitive approach assumes that the mind and mental processes also studies information processes like perception, attention, language, memory and thinking. On the other hand, the individual differences approach deals with the diversity in people rather than things we might have in common, particularly in terms of personality ad abnormality. Studies that support the cognitive approach mainly use the experimental method. For example, in the Loftus & Palmer study the participants gave their speed estimates based on video clips, which was from the Evergreen safety group, it found that the more severe the verb, the higher the estimates which seems practical, whereas in the individual differences approach it often uses the case study method. For example in the Thigpen & Cleckley study, the researches examine a woman suffering from multiple personality disorder (MPD) where they used projective and psychometric tests. They aimed to investigate the underlying factors to how the MPD was caused who was experiencing blinding headaches. They found that there was another personality within Eve white called Eve Black which they were tested on IQ, memory and personality. They would not have found these personalities in Eve White if they adopted another approach, such as the cognitive approach. Carrying out the research using the individual differences approach is useful in understanding how individuals with mental health problems can be dealt with. However, the cognitive approach has many useful applications like in the Loftus & Palmer when we now are aware of the implications after using leading questions which will distort a witness’ memory and may make up facts about a particular

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