Cognitive Approach

Question 0

Define information processing

Answer 0

What the cognitive approach is about, including input, processing and output, and how these work

Question 1

What are the 3 stages in the Multi store model

Answer 1

Sensory register
Short term store
Long term memory

Question 2

Define memory

Answer 2

Encoding, storage and retrieval, explained in different ways by different theories

Question 3

Define forgetting

Answer 3

Not remembering, which has more than one explanation

Question 4

Define storage

Answer 4

How info is retained in the brain ready for retrieval

Question 5

Define retrieval

Answer 5

Getting stored info out of memory

Question 6

Explain info processing

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What is the cognitive approach

Answer 7

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

Question 8

How do brains work like computers

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Why is it useful to compare ideas about the brain and a computer

Answer 9

Helps to explain human processing as brain is not well understood

Useful to clarify how brain processes info

Question 10

One aspect that is controlled in experiments is…..

Answer 10

The info given to the participants is standardised instructions so each ps has same info

Question 11

What are experimenter effects

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What is the double blind technique

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is the single blind technique

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Which is a better technique …..single blind or double blind

Answer 14

Double blind

Question 15

Explain conditions within a study

Answer 15

Conditions are aspects of IV and there must be 2 or more conditions

Question 16

What is the operationalisation of variables

Answer 16

Deciding how you are going to measure the DV and IV

Question 17

What is a repeated measures design

Answer 17

When ps do all the conditions of study

Question 18

What are independent groups

Answer 18

Ps only do one of the conditions because there are different ps in the groups and they do different conditions

Question 19

What are matched pairs

Answer 19

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)

Question 31

Issue with repeated measures design

Answer 31

Order effects can affect results to such an extent that the findings are not useful

Question 32

Steps taken to minimise order effects

Answer 32

Counterbalancing and randomisation

Question 33

What’s counterbalancing

Answer 33

The researcher alternates the conditions for each ps. Order effects can still occur but can cancel out

Question 34

What’s randomisation

Answer 34

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

Question 35

What is a demand characteristic

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

What are order effects

Answer 36

In a repeated measure design, the effects that the order of presenting the treatments have on the dependent variable