Andrade (doodling)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

-to know whether doodling assisted information processing, perhaps by enabling people to attend more effectively or by enhancing their memory

Question 2

working memory model

Answer 2

-this model of memory suggests that two different types of current and working memory can be used at the same time, one is vis spatial and the other auditory.

Question 3

Sample

Answer 3

• 40 members of a participant panel at the medical research council unit for cognitive research
• general population aged 18-55
• paid a small sum for participating
• 20 in each condition
• 2 male in the control group
• 3 males in the doodling group (one participant in this group did not doodle and was replaced)

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

• 2.5 mins
• average speed of 227 words per minute
• 8 names going,3 names and a cat not going
• 8 places names

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

• mean no. of shaded shapes on the printed sheet was 36.3

- overall recalled a mean of 7.5 names and places in the doodling group and 5.8 in the control group

Question 6

Conclusion

Answer 6

• doodling helps concentration
• however there can be two possible explanations: either the doodlers noticed more words, an effect of attention or doodling improved memory directly
• without any measure of daydreaming, it is difficult to distinguish between these two explanations
• could have done this by self-reports or brain scan to see if doodling reduced activation of the cortex.