Classic Study Baddeley (1966b) using GRAVE

Question 1

Baddeley (1966b)

Generalisability - Strength

Answer 1

As Baddeley uses 131 housewives, it can be argued that the results on the effect of an interference task between learning and recall in experiment 2 are representative of the target population.

Question 2

Baddeley (1966b)

Generalisability - Strength

Answer 2

Baddeley’s (1966b) use of males and females in experiment 3 means
that the results can be generalised to both genders as it could not be argued that the results were affected by males or females possibly using different memory techniques.

Question 3

Baddeley (1966b) - Strength

Reliability - Standardised Controls

Answer 3

Standardised controls were used, such as each participant being given the same amount of time to write out the 10-word sequence which means that the task can be replicated to retest the results to assess the influence of semantic and acoustic words on long term memory.

Question 4

Baddeley (1966b) - Strength

Reliability - Standardised Instructions

Answer 4

Baddeley (1966b) used a standardised procedure, including standardised recorded/visual word lists this allowed for replication of the study to retest the results which increases the reliability of the findings.

Question 5

Baddeley (1966b) - Strength

Application value for students

Answer 5

If long-term memory is mainly encoded semantically, when revising it would be prudent to make mind-maps with semantic
links to improve recall in examinations.

Question 6

Baddeley (1966b) - Weakness

Application value - artificial task

Answer 6

It is questioned as to whether measuring acoustically and semantically similar words can be applied to real-life as our memory is not restricted to learning lists of random monosyllabic words.

Question 7

Baddeley (1966b) - Weakness

Task Validity - Artificial

Answer 7

The task of recalling word lists to test memory is an artificial task and lacks validity as learning lists of words in a sequential order in our daily life is not a true representation of how memory functions.

Question 8

Baddeley (1966b) - Strength

Interval validity - control of extraneous variables.

Answer 8

Baddeley was able to control extraneous variables increasing the internal validity that the test of semantic and acoustic processing
were the only influences on memory.

Question 9

Baddeley (1966b)

Ethics (Informed Consent) - Weakness

Answer 9

As the participants did not know about the unexpected recall test, they could not give informed consent breaking the ethical principle of respect, so the study could be said to be unethical.

Question 10

Baddeley (1966b) - Weakness

Reductionist - simplified encoding in LTM

Answer 10

The study simplified encoding in LTM so the study is reductionist, in real life most sentences consider both types of encoding so LTM may use different kinds of encoding not just semantic.