Cognitive Psychology Questions

Question 1

Using schema theory, explain why some people may have different perceptions of the same event.

Answer 1

• due to personal experiences

Question 2

Explain what is schema theory.

Answer 2

Parcels of stored knowledge or mental representation of information about a specific event or object.

• schemas are stored mental representations
• influence the way we recall information

Question 3

Explain the weaknesses of Bartlett’s 1932 theory of reconstructive memory.

Answer 3

• no account for the transference between short term and long term memory

• incomplete explanation of memory process
• Bartlett 1932 supports his theory with UNRELIABLE evidence (War of Ghosts)

Question 4

Explain the strengths of Bartlett’s 1932 theory of reconstructive memory.

Answer 4

• application to real life: dementia
• research on story and object recall - credibility
• experiment was replicated with similar results each time

Question 5

Explain the terms Independent variable and Dependent variable

Answer 5

• IV = variable that is manipulated by the researcher

* DV = variable that is measured

Question 6

Explain the function of the central executive in the Working Memory Model.

Answer 6

To monitor the overall memory systems rather than acting as an information storage system.

It allocates the cognitive memory tasks to the appropriate subsystems such as the phonological loop.

Question 7

Explain the strengths of the working memory model.

Answer 7

• evidence from neuroimaging
• does not overemphasize importance of rehearsal
• dual task studies - raises credibility
• help dementia patients
• case studies (KF)
• explains more than MSM

Question 8

Explain the weaknesses of Working Memory Model.

Answer 8

• case studies are unique (not generalizable)
• unrealistic tasks (study, low ecological validity)
• episodic buffer only added in 2009
• doesn’t account for individual differences
• only explains memory in short term (not complete explanation)

Question 9

Evaluate Baddeley’s 1966b study.

Answer 9

+ reliability: standardized procedure (word lists)
+ extraneous variables eliminated (laboratory experiments) internal validity

• lacks mundane realism (laboratory learning words not real life context)
• only tested word recall (cannot be applied to other forms of memory)

Question 10

Describe episodic memory as used by Tulving 1972.

Answer 10

Experiences and events that happen to a person. Like a mental diary of someone’s life.

Question 11

Give a strength of Tulving’s 1972 explanation of long-term memory.

Answer 11

• supporting evidence for two distinct stores - KC could not recall episodic memories but could recall semantic memories

Question 12

Explain one strength of Baddeley’s 1966b study

Answer 12

• standardized procedure (reliability)

Question 13

Explain one weakness of Baddeley’s 1966b study.

Answer 13

• lacks mundane realism - used a word list recall task, no day to day functioning

Question 14

Explain a strength for Multi Store Memory Model.

Answer 14

• supporting evidence: case studies
• explains distinction between STM and LTM
• case studies: long term is not a single unitary store

Question 15

Explain the weaknesses of Multi Store Memory Model.

Answer 15

• Low generalizability - unique case studies
• oversimplistic view of LTM
• overemphasizes need of repetition
• fails to address dynamic nature of STM + performance on dual task experiment