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
What are the IV and DV for Grant et als study
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
What are the conclusions for Grant et al study
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
Strengths that Grant’s research is a snap shot study
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.
Describe the strengths of using a Lab experiment in grant study PEC
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.
What is the aim of Loftus study
To investigate the effect of using leading question on an individuals ability to recall events
What is the research method of Loftus study
both studies in this experiment used independant measures in a lab setting
Describe the sample of Loftus study
45 students from University of Washington
used opportunity sample
Describe the sample in Grants study
39 ps between 17-56 years
used opportunity sampling
What are the similarities of Grant et al study and Loftus and Palmer
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.
What are the differences of Grant et al and Loftus and Palmers study
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
What are the strengths of the cognitive approach (use debates)
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
Weaknesses of the cognitive approach (use debates)
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 ???
