Cognitive Psychology Flashcards
What is the key question in cognitive psychology?
How do mental processes, such as memory, perception, and thinking, affect our behavior?
What is the aim of Atkinson and Shiffrin’s MSM (1968)?
To propose a model of memory that describes how information flows through three separate stores: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).
What is the method of Atkinson and Shiffrin’s MSM (1968)?
The study was based on experimental research and the observation of memory processes in controlled laboratory settings.
What were the findings of Atkinson and Shiffrin’s MSM (1968)?
• Information passes through sensory memory, which holds information for a very short time.
• Some information moves into STM via attention and, with rehearsal, moves into LTM.
• LTM has a much greater capacity and can hold information indefinitely.
Evaluate Atkinson and Shiffrin’s MSM (AO3).
✅ Strength: Clear model of memory processes.
❌ Weakness: Over-simplifies memory – STM and LTM are not as separate as the model suggests.
What was the aim of Baddeley & Hitch (1974)?
To investigate how working memory (WM) works and whether it is a multi-component system.
What is the method used by Baddeley & Hitch (1974)?
Participants performed dual tasks (e.g., reasoning tasks and digit span tasks) while researchers observed how tasks interfered with each other.
What were the findings of Baddeley & Hitch (1974)?
• WMM is not a single unitary store but has several components: central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer.
• Tasks that involve different components (e.g., verbal and spatial) do not interfere with each other.
Evaluate Baddeley & Hitch’s Working Memory Model (AO3).
✅ Strength: More comprehensive than the MSM – incorporates different components of memory.
❌ Weakness: Central executive is unclear – lacks detail.
What was the aim of Loftus & Palmer (1974)?
To investigate how leading questions can influence eyewitness testimony and the accuracy of memory.
What was the method used in Loftus & Palmer (1974)?
Participants watched a video of a car accident and were later asked questions about the event. The critical question contained a verb that varied in intensity (e.g., “hit” vs. “smashed”).
What were the findings of Loftus & Palmer (1974)?
• The verb used influenced participants’ memory of the speed of the car and whether they recalled seeing broken glass (even when it was not present).
• Suggestion in questions led to distorted memories.
What is the real-world application of Loftus & Palmer’s study (AO2)?
Shows the importance of using neutral, non-leading questions in police interviews and legal settings to avoid influencing witness testimony.
Evaluate Loftus & Palmer’s study (AO3).
✅ Strength: Controlled experiment – high internal validity.
❌ Weakness: Lack of ecological validity – lab study may not reflect real-life situations.
What was the aim of Bartlett’s study (1932)?
To investigate how people reconstruct memories and how cultural influences affect memory recall.
What was the method used by Bartlett (1932)?
Participants read an unfamiliar folk story, “The War of the Ghosts,” and then recalled the story at different time intervals.
What were the findings of Bartlett (1932)?
• Participants’ recall became more distorted over time and they changed the story to fit their own schemas (cultural expectations).
• People tend to simplify and shorten stories to fit their personal knowledge.
Evaluate Bartlett’s Schema Theory (AO3).
✅ Strength: Emphasizes the active role of memory.
❌ Weakness: Lacks control – unclear whether distortion was due to schemas or other factors.
What are some methods used in cognitive psychology research?
- Lab experiments – controlled settings (e.g., Loftus & Palmer).
- Case studies – detailed studies of individuals (e.g., H.M.).
- Neuroimaging techniques – e.g., fMRI, PET scans (e.g., Maguire et al.).
- Cognitive interviews – used in eyewitness testimony research.
- Naturalistic observation – less control over variables (e.g., Bartlett).
What are the strengths and weaknesses of using these methods?
Strength: control over variables in lab experiments, detailed data in case studies.
❌ Weaknesses: Lack of ecological validity in lab experiments, ethical issues in case studies.
How does cognitive psychology apply to real-world scenarios?
• Eyewitness testimony - helps improve accuracy in legal processes (Loftus & Palmer).
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – used in treating disorders like depression, based on understanding and changing thought patterns.
• Educational psychology – applying memory and learning theories to enhance educational practices.
What are the benefits of cognitive psychology in real-world contexts (AO2)?
Provides insights into mental processes such as memory, perception, and problem-solving, leading to more effective treatments for mental health disorders and improvements in education.
What is the multi-store model (MSM)?
-memory is divided into sensory register short term memory (STM) and long term memory (LTM)
- information moves through rehearsal
What are the three components of the Multi-Store Model (MSM) of memory?
Sensory Register, Short-Term Memory (STM), Long-Term Memory (LTM)
