Cognitive Approach Flashcards
Define information processing
What the cognitive approach is about, including input, processing and output, and how these work
What are the 3 stages in the Multi store model
Sensory register
Short term store
Long term memory
Define memory
Encoding, storage and retrieval, explained in different ways by different theories
Define forgetting
Not remembering, which has more than one explanation
Define storage
How info is retained in the brain ready for retrieval
Define retrieval
Getting stored info out of memory
Explain info processing
The cognitive approach assumes that info is processed in the brain. Processing is considered to be linear ( info flows though the brain in a way that seems logical). Info is taken in by senses before being processed. Then, when being remembered info is encoded in brain and stored. When remembered it’s retrieved from storage. This is a linear logical process.
What is the cognitive approach
About how info is processed in brain. When info taken into brain through senses it’s recorded, processed, output. This approach examines how this occurs
How do brains work like computers
A computer has input, processing and output. It receives input via a keyboard or a voice recognition device. Unlike a computer, the human brain receives info from senses. Input into computer is more limited compared to brain which receives masses of info all the time. The computer ‘perceives’ all the input whereas brain only perceives small part of info. Once data has been input, computer processes data like the brain. Computer doesn’t make mistakes-brain does. Computer will repeat processing, human brain may not. Output- computer in form of printout or screen display. Brain uses language or written word, body language, emotions SO MORE COMPLEX THAN COMPUTERS
Why is it useful to compare ideas about the brain and a computer
Helps to explain human processing as brain is not well understood
Useful to clarify how brain processes info
One aspect that is controlled in experiments is…..
The info given to the participants is standardised instructions so each ps has same info
What are experimenter effects
They come from cues or signals from an experimenter that can affect the ps response
Cues might be tone of voice or non verbal cues such as gestures or facial expression
What is the double blind technique
Ps not aware which group they are in or what the study is about. Study carried out by someone other than the person who knows who is doing what. Neither ps or person running study know what is expected
What is the single blind technique
Ps are not aware of what is expected but person carrying out study is. This technique stops ps expectations from affecting the results but doesn’t stop the experimenter effects
Which is a better technique …..single blind or double blind
Double blind
Explain conditions within a study
Conditions are aspects of IV and there must be 2 or more conditions
What is the operationalisation of variables
Deciding how you are going to measure the DV and IV
What is a repeated measures design
When ps do all the conditions of study
What are independent groups
Ps only do one of the conditions because there are different ps in the groups and they do different conditions
What are matched pairs
Uses different ps (same as independent groups). Ps are matched up, one from each group according to what researcher thinks are important factors eg age,gender, social class. Although there are different ps doing each condition this design is treated as if tis a repeated measures design because researcher is trying to get ps to be as similar as possible to control ps variables. Difficult or match ps and difficult to make sure they are matched in all important ways. Means this design is rare (unless perhaps using identical twins)
Issue with repeated measures design
Order effects can affect results to such an extent that the findings are not useful
Steps taken to minimise order effects
Counterbalancing and randomisation
What’s counterbalancing
The researcher alternates the conditions for each ps. Order effects can still occur but can cancel out
What’s randomisation
The order in which ps do the conditions can be randomised. Eg if study has 2 conditions a coin could be tossed to see which condition is done first. This should help to cancel out order effects
What is a demand characteristic
A demand characteristic is a subtle cue that makes participants aware of what the experimenter expects to find or how participants are expected to behave. Demand characteristics can change the outcome of an experiment because participants will often alter their behavior to conform to the experimenters expectations.
What are order effects
In a repeated measure design, the effects that the order of presenting the treatments have on the dependent variable
