Andrade et al doodling Flashcards
Background (a statement)
Whether doodling aids concentration (cognitive processes) towards a primary task by reducing daydreaming
Aim
To test whether doodling aided concentration in a boring task
IV
Exposure to the doodling conditions
IV operationalised how?
by how much/ how far the subjects doodle on the piece of paper
DV
Accuracy and performance on the memory test
DV operationalised how?
by the mean number of correct recall for the names and places
Sample size
40
Sample came from (2)
MRC applied Psychology Unit participant panel at the University of Plymouth
Sampling technique
Opportunity sampling
Recruited process (5)
- from university participant panel
- had all completed a different study at uni
- were asked if they had 5 mins to help with another study
- was done to enhance the boredom of the task
- by using people that were already planning on going home
Sample age
18-55
Summary of procedures (4)
- 40 ppts monitored a monotonous mock phone call
- including the names of people coming to a party
- half the participants was randomly assigned to a doodling group, shading printed shapes.
- they then did a memory test
How was the depth of processing of monitored material measured
in terms of monitoring accuracy and memory
How was absentmindness encouraged
by telling participants not to worry about speed and neatness of the coloured shapes
How were order effects reduced
Counterbalancing
Control had how many
20 - 18F and 2M
Doodling group had how many?
20- 17F and 3M
Design?
Independant measures
How was doodling behaviour made natural?
the doodling group were told that they could shade the printed shapes without worrying about speed and neatness
Recall order was…
counterbalanced
How was data collected
Self-report
Standardised procedure (3)
-same instructions
- same monotonous voice in phone call
- same story on phone call with 8 names of people and places
how was the recall order counterbalanced?
the first and second group’s recall order were opposite in terms of what was asked first
Result of people names remembered
Doodling 7.8
control 7.1
What is a false alarm
When the incorrect name is remembered
Result of false alarms in terms of people names remembered
Doodling 1
Control 5
Result for mean score of names and places
Doodling 7.5
Control 5.8
Doodling group recalled what percent more than the control group?
29%
Conclusion
Doodling aids concentration whilst participating in a boring task
Discussion
Doodling could improve concentration by stabilising arousal and keeping people awake or by reducing daydreaming
What is doodling?
meaningless activity done without purpose when idle or bored
How is the study useful?
Doodling can be done to reduce daydreaming when bored and allow one to pay more attention in a lecture hall or during a phone call
How did they make sure that the participants did not actively try to remember the contents of the phone call? (3)
boring monotone voice
came from another experiment
were told that it would be boring
How were they deceived
told ‘I don’t want you to remember it’
Details of phone call (3)
- comfortable listening volume
- included 8 names of people and 8 names of places
- monotonous voice on phone call
Materials used in both conditions (4)
- played at comfortable listening volume
- script had 8 names of those attending the party
- script had 3 names of those not attending
- a piece of paper with printed out shapes and pencil
Criteria for a false alarm (2)
- names mentioned in the tape as lures
- any new name
Instructions given to the doodling group (4)
-shade in square and circles
- it doesn’t matter if it isn’t neat
- it doesn’t need to be quick
- it is to relieve any boredom
Materials used in only the doodling condition (4)
- the paper was A4
- the paper contained squares and circles
- the paper had a margin for extra information
- a pencil for shading
Psychology being tested (4)
- looking at whether doodling aids concentration/ memory
- arousal levels need to be maintained to be able to concentrate
- boredom plays a role in paying attention
- doodling acts as a secondary task
Why were participants not told to doodle freely (2)
as this might make them self-conscious about their drawing
suspect aim of the study
