Cognitive psych- Loftus, Grant et al Flashcards
What is the key assumption of the cognitive approach
Behaviour is the result of information processing like a computer
input information——> process information based on experiences——> decide appropriate output behaviour
What are important features that influence behaviour in cognitive psych
internal processes such as memory, thinking, language, perception, attention.
In Loftus study identify the independant and dependant variables
independent variable- the leading word ‘crashed, bumped, hit”
dependant variable-estimated speed in mph
in Loftus study what two kinds of information that go into a an individuals memory for a complex occurrence
the information obtained from perceiving the event itself; the second is the information supplied or acquired after the event.
what is the ecological validity in Loftus study
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
what is the purpose of the second experiment
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
give a strength of Loftus using quantitative data
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.
give a weakness of Loftus using quantitative data
-give example of this data
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
Describe the aim of Grant et al study
The aim was to test for context dependancy effects with the presence and absence of background sound during learning and retrieval
Describe the sample and how the sample was obtained in Grant et al study
39 participants ages 17-56
17 females 23 males
They used opportunity sampling
each eight experimenter chose about five candidates
Describe the weaknesses of Grants study
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
Describe the strengths of Grants study
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.
Define recall
Information remembered without prompts
Define recognition
The use of prompts to remember imformation
What was the research method for Grants study
It was a laboratory experiment using independant measures