Psychology Cognitive Theory

Cognitive Theory 

COGNITIVE THEORY Motilal Dass

Behaviour could partly be determined by the individual’s understanding. In this regard, cognition can be related to the human behaviour and in the perspective of the cognitive approach it could clearly be stated that behaviour is entirely formed by the environment.

Dr.N.H and et al (1992) states that cognitions are impressions, interpretations, thoughts and knowledge acquired when we make contact with our environment. In most of the cases the social understanding which is termed as cognition is very much important. Sometimes one can be found stronger than the other person. So it can be deduced that the origin of cognition holds the primary importance from its inception. Kenworthy and et al (2002) states that the cognition involves the integration of thought processes in response to two factors. These responses are particularly concept driven and data driven. Concept driven processes simply describe our human nature whereas the nurture influences our previous experiences and the learning, which has been occurred as a result of that consequence. On the other hand, data driven processes denote to the information which comes automatically to our conscious attention by the sensory organs.

All these elements would probably more vivid if they are classified in accordance of proper order. The cognition approach of development certainly holds the systematic process and it also depicts the development process of an individual. By the proper and systematic organization any individual can easily get grips to the social and physical environment thereby by making him well adjusted with the existing environment. In many occasion there might be need of higher organizational processes and eventually the individual tends to form certain strategies, which in later stages becomes very much helpful to cope up with the environment. All the human beings are subjected to undergo the cognitive development process in life. For instance, a child can assimilate various information differently from an adult person. This is one type of cognitive development, there are still number of factors closely associated with this development and they are described in nutshell.

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Cognitive Theory  The mental representation which is developed through the actions and experiences is entitled as schema. This is an unstable process and subject to changes which results from experiences and learning. Kenworthy and et al (2002) states that schemas are the useful ways of communicating with others because a shared schema enables insight into another person’s mental processing and behaviour. Accommodation explains the alteration of existing schema with the experiences and understanding. The common understanding of human being is the result of disequilibrium between adaptations and new situations.

To summarize the cognitive development and its related factors, it can be noted that all the aforementioned factors are interlinked. For instance when failing to assimilate the new experiences into schema, then accommodation is needed; and there comes the learning from experience or so called discover learning. BEHAVIOURIST THEORY Behaviourist Theory particularly depicts out the nature of an individual as he acts on. It could be the actual nature of interaction with the peer groups or common people that he meets everyday. In the perspective of behavioural theory one could probable link it directly to the abnormal behaviour of an individual and fortunately the description of behavioural theory is subjected to concentrate on the conditions where a clear link can be found. Behaviourist theory is another attempt to explain human personality [online]. It shows how the human behaviour is formed. In many cases the cultural and sub cultural factors mold and shape the personality and according to the behaviourists, human being has his life determined for him since he is a product of the culture that causes him to be as he is. Basing on this it could probable make to comprehend that behaviourists theory is of deterministic type. Behavioural therapy is a prime source for experts to draw a close link as well as to outline the causes of an individual who may be acting in an undesired manner.Richard H. Hall (2001) states that the first basic characteristic of behaviorism is that behaviourists emphasize the importance of empirical and observable behaviours.

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Cognitive Theory  It merely involves the physical or the mental symptoms but it focuses on maladaptative responses of the client. In this case the key element is to bring back the client into the normal condition with keeping keen observations on the underlying causes. If the maladaptative nature prolongs for the longer duration then it leaves the client with adverse effect. In this occasion it could be wise decision to find out the underlying causes and to act upon accordingly.

Behavioural theory often talks about the unconditioned stimulus and while making an attempt to rehabilitate the client from the addiction it simply provokes the client to abstain from consuming those substances involved in causing the problems; this could be called the adverse effects. In many cases the alcoholism is paired with nausea, so the client does not feel consuming the substances any longer and eventually tries to withdraw him from it as this addiction badly affects the health. The attempt to make the person withdraw from the symptoms often called aversion technique. The technique has to be kept on doing repetitively as to withhold the client in the right track. Hence, the person develops an uncomfortable feeling while thinking of drinking or smoking or even looking at an illicit picture.

APPROACHES OF BEHAVIOURAL THEORY IN RELATION TO INDIVIDUAL’s HEALTH:

Depression: There are many factors which propels a person to get affected with the anxiety and depression. These are obviously triggered by number of external events. Due to anxiety an individual simply fails to cope up with his daily activities. Phobia is considered as an avoidance response that can be learnt from daily experiences. This factors badly affects the individuals health.Dr. N. H Groenman and et al (1992) states that depression is seen as a lack of positive reinforcement or a high rate of negative reinforcement. In the context of behavioural explanation of depression it got acquired with learned helplessness strategy.

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Cognitive Theory  So in many cases reinforcement could be implemented then the feedback probably leads to the solution of the proThe action which the person gets to learn seems of no importance and this type of folk has no control over themselves. To this type of patient reinforcement plays a vital role. Coolican H and et al (1996) states that perhaps the depressed people reduce their responses because they get little reinforcement or because reinforcement has lost its strength for them. It can not directly ponder on treating or tackling the depressive condition but it sets its target to concentrate on extinction of the depressive situation and by observing others it is believed that expectation could be learnt but behaviors could probably acquired. Coolican H and et al (1996) states that expectation referred both what we think will be the out come of certain behaviour and our self efficacy. So with the supportive care like recreational activities and assertive training it is necessary to observe them closely for the feedback. To have effective behaviour change person’s thoughts can be changed.Depression eventually makes the person inactive and simply makes him feel sad and a person who is vulnerable to depression looses social skills. Once a person is fallen to this condition then he certainly requires a great deal of sympathy from near and dear one. Unfortunately, it becomes a critical issue to deal with such client who partially or completely looses interests to cheer up.

In conclusion, it can be brought into attention that depression badly affects the health status of an individual and it becomes evident that the person shows some degree of physical inactivity.

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Cognitive Theory 

REFERENCE:

Coolican. H, Hodder, Stoughton (1996) Applied Psychology. ISBN 0-340-63092-2, p.41

Dr. N.H. Groenman, Dr. O D’S Slevin, M.A .Buckenham (1992). Social and Behavoural Sciences for Nurses 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Campion Press. p.77 Kenworthy N, Snowley G Gilling C (2002). Common Foundation Studies in Nursing 3rd ed.Edinburugh: Churchill Livingstone.p.207 Richard H. Hall (2001)TheEducational Psychology [online] London, available on www. medialab.mst.edu accessed on January 14, 2008

The Behaviourist Theory (2007) [online], available on www.the-shrink.info accessed on January 12th 2008.

Author: Motilal Dass Registered Nurse (India) HNC Health Care (Scotland) E-mail: [email protected]

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