After reading Modules 32-41, discuss the following: What are some of the key concepts you would want potential students to take away? How is memory connected to achieving that goal? Question 2.

After reading Modules 32-41, develop an essay on the following:

Summarize the cognitive approach to understanding thoughts and behaviors.

 

Question 1. Some of The Key Concepts I Would Want Potential Students to Take Away

After reading modules 32 -41, there are various concepts that I would want potential students to take away. Every module addresses a specific topic that is important for potential students to take keynotes.  For instance, module 32 discusses memory systems. Some of the major key concepts that a student should take away in this module are how memory works, the features of short term (working) memory, and the different stages of memory (Coon, Mitterer, & Martini, 2021). From the different stages of memory, the student will identify a person's mind, whether it is like a sieve, trap or steel. Also, students need to note the stages of memory; long term, short term and sensory memories. Students should be able to differentiate the features of each series of memory.

In module 33 on measuring memory, the students should make sure they know the measurement of memory.  Also, students should master different ways through which memory can be revealed by recognition, recall, relearning, or priming. It is also important for students to note the most common test of recognition: a multiple-choice question. After reading through module 34, potential students should take away the main concepts on forgetting; that is why human beings forget the common cause. Also, in this module, the students should be able to discuss how the brain forms and stores information. The key concepts for students to take away in module 35 include the meaning of "exceptional" memory and the different ways through which an individual can improve their memory (Coon, Mitterer, & Martini, 2021).

Moreover, in module 36, the student should identify how good presentation skills are related to psychology and the significance of good presentation skills in one's professional and personal life. Based on the readings in module 37, the student should note the nature of thoughts, ways through which images are related to thinking, the meaning of concepts, and how one can learn about a concept (Coon, Mitterer, & Martini, 2021). From the readings on module 38, the most important concepts include the knowledge about problem-solving, how to get a solution to a problem, and the key elements for understanding a solution. Additionally, after reading module 39, the student should note the nature of creative thinking, the five stages of creative problem solving and the skills required in creative thinking (Coon, Mitterer, & Martini, 2021). From the readings on module 40, the most important concepts for the student include how human intelligence is defined and measured, the meaning, and intelligence tests.  Additionally, the key concepts that I would want students to take away from module 41 include how innovation and creativity are related to psychology. From the readings on module 42, a student should define motivation and identify different types of motives.

How Memory Connected to Achieving That Goal

Working memory is significant in achieving the goal because it helps put together pieces of information learned with the current knowledge. Working memory plays a crucial role in memory for goal achievement through preserving, guiding and updating goal-directed information and processes. Thus, the operation of working memory is the main contributing factor to the success of a goal, especially in capturing relevant information.

Question 2: Cognitive Approach to Understanding Thoughts and Behaviors

According to psychology, a cognitive approach involves studying the internal mental processes, everything inside an individual's brain, including memory, thinking, perception, learning, problem-solving, attention and language (Willingham, 2017). The main aspect of the cognitive approach in understanding human behaviours and thoughts focuses on the thoughts and related mental processes. The cognitive approach views human beings as processors of information, just like computers. The research methods in the cognitive approach to understanding human behaviours rely on brain imaging technologies and experiments and qualitative approaches to understanding thinking and memory, making the cognitive approach significant to understanding human behaviour (Willingham, 2017). A cognitive approach is a relative approach to understanding human behaviour as it focuses on humans' thoughts, including thoughts.  

There are three significant assumptions of the cognitive approach theory. The approach assumes that the thought processes of human beings affect the way they behave and respond to environmental cues (Willingham, 2017). This perspective assumes that people intentionally react to life events based on their emotions.  The second assumption is that the cognitive content and processes can be known (Willingham, 2017). In most instances, specific beliefs and thoughts may not be in an individual's immediate awareness, especially if they are trained and aware of the practices. The approach also assumes that cognitions can be intentionally modified, targeted or changed (Willingham, 2017). Thus, it is the most dominant approach in psychology and has been used in a wide range of theoretical and practical contexts. For instance, the approach has provided help in coping with memory disorders increasing accuracy in decision making and treatment of various disorders which might be affected by human emotions and behaviours such as learning disorders and brain injuries. Knowledge about how people think and process information are useful to researchers and psychologists to develop new ways and solutions for people with attentional difficulties to improve their concentration and focus. Also, the cognitive approach helps to understand how human beings, process, store and recall information (Willingham, 2017). This knowledge is important to psychologists as it helps them to develop new ways of helping individuals improve their memories and recover from memory disorders.

In addition to understanding how the human mind functions, the cognitive approach has also had a significant impact on approaches to mental health. The approach has put a greater emphasis on the way people think and process information and how their thinking contributes to psychological distress (Willingham, 2017). Therefore, new treatments were developed based on a cognitive approach to help in treating phobia, anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders. There are also other significant impacts of cognitive approach theory; for instance, the findings from the approach play a crucial role in helping professions approach treatment of mental illness, brain disease and traumatic brain injury. Also, knowledge from the approach helps measure human intellectual abilities and develop effective ways to combat memory problems. The knowledge also helps understand different human behaviors as it assumes that human behavior is determined by the information processed in their brains and is widely affected by their emotions.

In conclusion, the Cognitive behavioural approach is mainly based on human thoughts, emotions and behaviours. The approach argues that human thoughts determine their behaviour and feelings. The main components in the approach include cognitive therapy, mindfulness-based therapies and behavioural therapy. The approach mainly focuses on patterns responsible for negative behavioural and emotional approaches. The approach aims at helping people to develop alternative ways of thinking and developing awareness when making negative interpretations. Besides, the approach also focuses on a cognitive schema that attributes to human behaviour and feelings.