Cognitive psych- Loftus, Grant et al

Question 1

What is the key assumption of the cognitive approach

Answer 1

Behaviour is the result of information processing like a computer
input information——> process information based on experiences——> decide appropriate output behaviour

Question 2

What are important features that influence behaviour in cognitive psych

Answer 2

internal processes such as memory, thinking, language, perception, attention.

Question 3

In Loftus study identify the independant and dependant variables

Answer 3

independent variable- the leading word ‘crashed, bumped, hit”
dependant variable-estimated speed in mph

Question 4

in Loftus study what two kinds of information that go into a an individuals memory for a complex occurrence

Answer 4

the information obtained from perceiving the event itself; the second is the information supplied or acquired after the event.

Question 5

what is the ecological validity in Loftus study

Answer 5

EV- the measure of how true to life a study is
Low in EV since it is a lab experiment so the data cannot be generalised to real life

Question 6

what is the purpose of the second experiment

Answer 6

there had been two explanations of the results of the 1st exp
-response bias: the verb matched the speed chosen so only the verb influences the answer
-change in memory: the verb made p’s believe they witnessed it altering memory
the 2nd exp is conducted to differentiate which explanation is right

Question 7

give a strength of Loftus using quantitative data

Answer 7

quantitative data is increases EXTERNAL RELIABILITY since is it easier to replicate and check for consistency.
The second experiment data can be compared amongst the first.

Question 8

give a weakness of Loftus using quantitative data
-give example of this data

Answer 8

P-By using quantitative data, complex ideas are oversimplified.
E-smashed 40.5 mph
-contacted 31.8 mph
C-Quantitative data does not provide reasons behind behaviour, therefore reducing the internal validity and usefulness of the data

Question 9

Describe the aim of Grant et al study

Answer 9

The aim was to test for context dependancy effects with the presence and absence of background sound during learning and retrieval

Question 10

Describe the sample and how the sample was obtained in Grant et al study

Answer 10

39 participants ages 17-56
17 females 23 males
They used opportunity sampling
each eight experimenter chose about five candidates

Question 11

Describe the weaknesses of Grants study

Answer 11

No qualitative data- reduces validity as the interpretations of behaviour are subjective
Reading time was recorded but not controlled therefore may not reflect the studying habits to times

Question 12

Describe the strengths of Grants study

Answer 12

qualitative data- study can be replicated and compared easily so high external reliability,
High internal reliability as Grant had standardised procedure i.e. the same article, the same environment, all heard material through headphones etc. Useful applications: giving advice to students about their studying habits, Ecological validity-The students were given material that was very similar to course material they would receive at university. They were also told to ‘treat this as a class assignment.
Highly ethical study, informed consent was given, confidentiality of students test results as ensured and no harm was made to participants.

Question 13

Define recall

Answer 13

Information remembered without prompts

Question 14

Define recognition

Answer 14

The use of prompts to remember imformation

Question 15

What was the research method for Grants study

Answer 15

It was a laboratory experiment using independant measures

Question 16

What are the IV and DV for Grant et als study

Answer 16

IV-article under silent or noise conditions and tested under matched or mismatched conditions.
DV-Their score on the recall and recognition tasks out of 26

Question 17

What are the conclusions for Grant et al study

Answer 17

Studying and testing in the same environment leads to enhanced performance.
·Students are likely to perform better in exams if they study for them with a minimum of background noise because they learn in same conditions
noice has no real independant factor in ability to recal

Question 18

Strengths that Grant’s research is a snap shot study

Answer 18

A snapshot study allows for high controls over extraneous or confounding variables due to the fact that not a lot of time passes which could lead to loss of control.
For example, all participants had the same time constraints, volume levels, same article etc.
Therefore, can establish cause and effect between context dependent effects and memory recall increasing the internal validity.

Question 19

Describe the strengths of using a Lab experiment in grant study PEC

Answer 19

This is a lab experiment with high levels of control against extraneous and confounding variables.
For example, all of the participants read the exact same article on immunology to control for the difficulty of text not effecting their recall and recognition.
Therefore, this increases the internal validity of the study, as Grant is ensuring that he is measuring context-dependency effects, allowing him to establish cause and effect.

Question 20

What is the aim of Loftus study

Answer 20

To investigate the effect of using leading question on an individuals ability to recall events

Question 21

What is the research method of Loftus study

Answer 21

both studies in this experiment used independant measures in a lab setting

Question 22

Describe the sample of Loftus study

Answer 22

45 students from University of Washington
used opportunity sample

Question 23

Describe the sample in Grants study

Answer 23

39 ps between 17-56 years
used opportunity sampling

Question 24

What are the similarities of Grant et al study and Loftus and Palmer

Answer 24

Both looked into memory produces being an inaccurate record of information
Both found Useful evidence + have applicability to real-world : eye witness testimony and studying for students
Opportunity sampling used
Independant measures designs
Both were real-world materials relevant to the study
Both studies lack ecological validity as emotions and motivation of the pp’s would have been different from those experiencing real car crashes or sitting exams.

Question 25

What are the differences of Grant et al and Loftus and Palmers study

Answer 25

Grant: Reading wasn’t controlled
LP: disrupting effect on information received and changes till it is retrieved ( in form of leading questions)
Grant: disrupting effects of environment for retrieval
LP: bigger sample 150/ 45 to G 39
Grant: acquaintances of experimenters
LP: Students at uni with same age

Question 26

What are the strengths of the cognitive approach (use debates)

Answer 26

USEFULNESS- both studies proved helpful positives classroom vs courtroom
evidence helps students work at the most enhanced level by studying in same condition as being tested
evidence helps since eye witness testimonies are most impactful on the jury, giving risk to wrongfully imprisonment. Allows people to understand the malleability of memory
PSYCHOLOGY AS A SCIENCE- both studies are lab experiments which has clinical and scientific aspects
ETHICS- upholds the reputation of psychology since was moral, no harm to ps, right to withdraw ect

Question 27

Weaknesses of the cognitive approach (use debates)

Answer 27

cognitive psychology is that it is not directly observable (the process)
Often Lab which reduces EV
Nature vs Nurture (check) It ignores possible causes for our behaviour that could have come from, our social environment or our biology.
Grant: doesn’t take into account biological conditions that can effect concentration, focus and recollection like ADHD which may effect the study results
LP: doesn’t take into account the biological conditions on memory in different people ???