Cognitive Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Cognitive Theory - Essay Example To start with, the cognitive approach focuses on one's thoughts, beliefs, and certain feelings. This approach tends to understand how one's beliefs, thoughts, and feelings would influence once behaviors. Psychologists explain that if a clear research is carried out on specific individuals and the behaviors they have, there is a relationship with his or her past behaviors or beliefs. Second is the behavioral therapy. According to the cognitive theory, the behaviors of an individual are likely to be learned and acquired either from the surrounding that is nature or through inborn traits that are matter. Cognitive theory clearly tries to understand the two perspectives, and this is done mainly through practical research. Through cognitive theory psychologists, the main idea is to understand the cause of some behaviors in some people and mainly is influenced by the nature of the issue one is facing, in many cases the following are critical situations where this can be applicable is; On a person suffering from depression or anxiety. A serious research is carried out on the main issue affecting him and methods of controlling or putting the situation under control may be put in place. In case, one has an eating disorder that may lead to obesity. This is not a normal thing, at times this may be viewed as an issue affecting the individual mentally and, therefore, leading to the disorder. An individual suffering from the post-stressful event, mainly this is from a shock or an issue that one went through, and the thoughts still run fresh in mind.

Psychology-Research Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Psychology-Research Methods - Essay Example 36). Experimaents are used to establish a relationship between two variables, and show the direction of causality between the two variables. Quasi-Experimental. A method used â€Å"when [the researcher] can exert some, but not complete, control over important variables† (Zechmeister et al., 2009, p. 38). Like experiments, quasi-experimental attempt to establish cause-and-effect relationship with a less tighter control of the environment. Single case. A method â€Å"often used in the context of clinical psychology, in which the psychologist wishes to describe, predict, understand, and treat the problems faced by a client† (Zechmeister et al., 2009, p. 38). This method attempts to explain and change the behavior of a single participant or patient. The results of a single case study can be applied to a limited number of other participants. Methods, Rationale, and Usage Case 1. Since the researcher was trying to change the behavior of a mentally impaired 8-year old girl by quantifying observations and introducing interventions, this study, I think, utilized the single case design. The aim of a single case design is to gain a deep understanding of a research subject/participant in order to explain and treat his/her behavior (Zechmeister et al., 2009). In Case 1, the researcher introduced an intervention to treat the spoon banging behavior of the subject. Detailed observations were then recorded to predict and analyze if the intervention was effective. The researcher recorded observations before, during, and after the intervention which showed the degree of control exerted by the researcher in this study. The researcher concluded that this treatment was effective and, therefore, like any successful single case studies, suggested that this treatment can be used in other patients. Case 2. Since the team of researchers was trying to describe gender differences in need for affiliation by observing and recording the behavior of students in a cafeteria, this study, I believe, utilized the observational research design. The purpose of observation is to portray a complete description of a behavior in a given situation (Zechmeister et al., 2009). In Case 2, the researchers provided detailed observations of incoming students in a cafeteria to describe the tendency of males and females to seek affiliation through the company of others. College students comprised the sample, and the variable of interest to be measured is the need for affiliation. When students entered the cafeteria, the researchers recorded students’ gender and whether they are alone or accompanied by others. These detailed observations are then analyzed in order to describe gender differences in need for affiliation. Case 3. Since the researcher was attempting to show which of the two approaches are more effective for small groups who are making decisions, this study, I think, utilized the experimental design. The principal aim of experiments is to establish a cause-a nd-effect relationship between two variables (Zechmeister et al., 2009). In Case 3, the researcher introduced a competitive and a cooperative approach to groups of people and then measured the degree of satisfaction derived from using such approach. Research participants were randomly assigned to different groups. The independent variable was the approach used, and the dependent variable was the satisfaction derived after the decision was made. The introduction of approach and the