Cognitive Area Evaluation

Question 1

What are the two assumptions of the cognitive area

Answer 1

1) looks at mental processes such as attention, perception and memory and how they affect human behaviour
For example, Loftus and Palmer looked at how leading questions distort memory of a car crash.

2) Computer analogy
We input info via our senses, process by storing and retrieving.
We output info in the form of behaviour or an emotional response

Question 2

Give similarities between loftus and palmer and grant et al

Answer 2

=Both collected quantitative data
L&P = participants speed estimates + whether they report seeing broken glass
G = no. of correct answers on recall and recognition test

=Both used independent measures design
L&P = different groups heard different verb in critical question
Grant = four different groups of participants who read and recall article in matching conditions or mismatching conditions

= Both used same research method (lab experiment)

=Both used opportunity sampling
(Grant- friends of psychology students)

Question 3

Give differences between Loftus and Palmer and Grant et al

Answer 3

Loftus Paler less ethical than Grant
= L&P didn’t gain informed consent +decieved about leading questions and not aware of aim of the study
= Grant did gain informed consent as they knew study was looking at memory

Different applications
L&P suggests police should be trained to not give leading questions as it can distort witness memory
Grant = revision should be done in matching context to the exam eg. silence

Question 4

Give similarities between Moray’ study and Simon and Chabri’s study

Answer 4

type of design - both used LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS

=in experiment 2 Moray manipulated IV (whether participants were given an instruction to change ears with their name or not) and it was done under controlled conditions
= IV was manipulated under controlled conditions

type of data - both had QUANTITATIVE DATA

= moray recorded no. of words recognised, whether they changed ears when told to, no. of digits recalled
= simon and chabris recorded whether or not participants recognised the unexpected event

Question 5

Give differences between moray’s study and simon and chabris study

Answer 5

DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

= moray used repeated measures design in experiment 1 as participants shadowed a message in one ear while rejecting the message in the other
= Simon and Chabris used independent measures design as different groups watched a video with either gorilla or umbrella as the unexpected event

Question 6

Give strengths of the cognitive area

Answer 6

good scientific status
= good controls
= standardised procedures

applications to real life
= understanding how we process info has application
= loftus and palmer on reconstructive memories changed how criminal justice system deals with eye-witness testimony

less ethical issues
= grant et al had no ethical issues
=

Question 7

Give weaknesses of cognitive area

Answer 7

Computer analogy has weaknesses
= human mind does not process information like a computer
= peoples behaviour isn’t always logical : we are affected by emotions, intuitions and instincts

Cognitive reductionism
=focuses on mental processes and ignores how multiple factors interact to affect human behaviour

Question 8

How does cognitive area support psychology as a science

Answer 8

MANIPULATION OF VARIABLES
= loftus and palmer manipulated IV the verb in the critical question, measured DV, speed estimates, under controlled conditions

QUANTITATIVE DATA
= Simon and chabris collected no. of participants who noticed the unexpected event in each condition , objective and can be statisticallt analysed

CONTROLS
= loftus and palmer, all watched same film clips
= moray, all wore headphones

CAUSE AND EFFECT
= grant et al manipulated IV (matching vs mismatching context) and measured DV (recall and recognition) under controlled conditions ( all wore headphones and read the same psychoimmunology article)

REPLICABILITY
= standardised procedures
= all read same immunology article and given same short-answer questions and multiple choice questions

Question 9

Similarities between milgram and bocchiaro

Answer 9

SAMPLING - self selected
= milgram used advert in newspaper and direct mail
= bocchiaro used flyers around the uni

Question 10

Differences between milgram and bocchiaro

Answer 10

Milgram less ethical
= had high levels of distress
= many upset & 2 had seizures
= given verbal prods

Bocchiaro
= participants protected from harm
= low stress situation (write statement)
= left alone to decide whether to obey or not rather than verbal prods