CLOA

Question 1

Give a definition for the cognitive level of analysis

Answer 1

The CLOA is based on how mental processes such as perception, language and memory in the brain processes information. It concerns the way we take in information from the outside world, how we make sense of that information and what use we make of it.

Question 2

What are two principles at the CLOA?

Answer 2

1. Human beings are information processors and mental representations guide behaviour.
2. Mental processes can and should be studied scientifically by developing theories and using a variety of research methods.

Question 3

What were the results of Loftus and Palmer’s study?

Answer 3

Estimated speed predicted by verb:

• smashed: 40.8mph
• hit: 34mph

Question 4

What was the aim of Bartlett’s study?

Answer 4

to investigate whether cultural background/cultural schemas would distort memory.

Question 5

In Bartlett’s study, how did the participants change the story? and what conclusion did this lead to?

Answer 5

• changing details to match their own culture (i.e. kayak became boat)
• making it shorter
• adding detail/emotion

conclusion: information/memory is changed to match existing schemas, this supports reconstructive memory

Question 6

What are 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of the MSM (proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin)?

Answer 6

Strengths
1. Supported by HM as study implies separate stores
2. Generated a lot of further research into memory
Weaknesses
1. Oversimplified
2. FBM and photographic memory contradicts model (we remember information without rehearsal)

Question 7

What was the conclusion of Brown and Kulik’s study on FBM where they asked participants about shocking events such as the assassination of J.F. Kennedy?

Answer 7

Flashbulb memories are caused by physiological emotional arousal

Question 8

What are to weaknesses of Brown and Kulik’s study?

Answer 8

1. Reliability of data collection

2. FBM not necessarily accurate in regard to details

Question 9

How does the KF case study support the working memory model?

Answer 9

KF’s short term memory was damaged after a motorcycle accident but his impairment was mainly for verbal information and his ability to process visual information was largely unaffected which suggests there are separate STM components for visual and verbal info.

Question 10

What were the result of Meany’s study on the effect of glucocorticoids on memory?

Answer 10

non-handled rats (taken from mothers) had elevated levels of glucocorticoids levels (due to stress). These rats then went on to do significantly worse in remembering the route to the platform.

Question 11

What were the results of Neisser and Harsch’s study in 1992 on testing FBM?

Answer 11

• Only 11 out of 44 participants remembered they’d already filled out a questionnaire
• There were major differences between the original and follow up questionnaire (mean of 2.95 out of 7 questions corresponded to original answers)
• Average level of confidence of answers was 4.17 out of 5

Question 12

What was the conclusion of Neisser and Harch’s study?

Answer 12

The study challenges the theory of FBM’s and also the reliability of memory in general, particularly as participants were so sure of their answers - however the study does not consider personal shocking events

Question 13

What did Gazzangia et al find in their study?

Answer 13

Autistic children found it more difficult to name emotions from a set of facial expressions demonstrating that damage to the pre-frontal lobe effects ability to recognise emotion

Question 14

What was the conclusion of the Speisman et al study?

Answer 14

manipulation of cognitive appraisal significantly impacted emotional response and reaction showing how cognitive factors affect emotion