Classic Study

Question 1

Baddeley (1966b) : Aim

Answer 1

To investigate the influences of acoustic and semantic word similarity on learning and recall in short term and long term memory

Question 2

Baddeley (1966b): Sample

Answer 2

• mixed men and women from applied Psychology research panel, Cambridge
• Total of 72 participants involved. Independant measures design

Question 3

Baddeley (1966b): Procedure

Answer 3

• One of four word list groups
• list A- 10 acoustically similar words, list B - 10 acoustically dissimilar words - list C- 10 semantically similar words - list D- 10 semantically dissimilar words
• four trials for same list, presented by slide projector, one word every three seconds. participant then had a distraction task. This was six, eight digit recalls presented one digit per second. They had to recall words in order. followed by 15 minute self paced digit copying task.

Question 4

Baddeley (1966b) : Results

Answer 4

• once the acoustic words were learnt there was no significant difference in recall between trial 4 and retest

Question 5

Baddeley (1966b): Evaluation

Answer 5

generalisability: small sample size - may be considered to have better memories - disadvantage
Reliability - standardised procedure, results can be repeated - advantage
validity - high internal - control of variables clear cause and effect - advantage
Ethics - gave consent ,right to withdrawal - advantage