Cognitive Process

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

This process states that the purpose of sleep is about increasing your consolidation of memory, processing new information and remaining alert enough to learn efficiently. Animal and human studies suggest that the quantity and quality of sleep have a profound impact on learning and memory.
Research suggests that memory consolidation takes place during sleep through the strengthening of the neural connections that form our memories
Memory consolidation is time-consuming and energy intensive for the brain, so sleep is believed to be the ideal time to reinforce memory.

Question 2

Studies

Answer 2

•Wagner et al (2004) shows that challenging maths problems are easier understood after Sleeping
•Gais et al (2006) shows retention of new foreign words is better after sleeping
•Mednick at al (2003) found that learning could be consolidated by a nap.
•Mazza et al (2016) found that splitting study sessions over two days with a nights sleep in-between reduced the practice time needed by half.

Question 3

Different stages of sleep consolidate different info..

Answer 3

Research suggests REM sleep is useful for consolidating memories only if they are complex and emotionally charged. One reason for this may be due to the increased activation of the amygdala during REM sleep (which is responsible for regulating our emotions). Research now suggests that slow-wave sleep (NREM) processes neutral information.

Question 4

Karni et al (1994)

Answer 4

Trained participants on a perceptual speed task, -Response times did not improve with practice. After a nights sleep they performed the task faster. However if they were woken every time they entered REM sleep there was no improvement

Question 5

Smith (1999)

Answer 5

Participants were trained in two drawing tasks. One simple and one more complex. Half of the participants were denied SWS and the other half REM sleep, the night following the training. The tasks were repeated the following day.-SWS deprivation only affected the simple task. REM deprivation only affected the complex task

Question 6

Tucker et al (2006)

Answer 6

found that subjects that took a nap (consisting of only NREM sleep) improved more on a declarative memory task than subjects that stayed awake

Question 7

Strengths of cognitive process

Answer 7

• There is a lot of evidence to support the cognitive process explanation of the function of sleep and is therefore reliable.
• The methods used in studies that support the cognitive process are rigorous which makes the process more valid.
• The cognitive process gives insight to way to help treat sleep disorders and has real world applications.

Question 8

Weaknesses of cognitive

Answer 8

• The cognitive process fails to take into account other explanations of sleep, there is evidence in the biological process to support sleep aids growth and recovery. Therefore the cognitive process is reductionist.
• Research to support the cognitive process is mainly lab experiments, this means the the process can’t be used to explain behaviour in a real world setting as it lack ecological validity

Question 9

Key study

Answer 9

Czeisler et al (1990)

Question 10

Crick and Mitchinson’s Reorganisational Theory

Answer 10

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