Cognitive Studies Flashcards
Bartlett Aim
Investigate how memory is affected by previous knowledge (cultural schemas)
Bartlett Procedure
Repeated reproduction & Serial reproduction of Native American Legend by British participants
Bartlett Findings
No difference between recall method. Over time stories became shorter and more conventional: details were unconsciously changed to fit norms of the British culture.
Bartlett Conclusion
Memory was distorted and changed in order for it to make sense and fit their cultural schema’s
Martin & Halverson Aim
Investigate role of gender schema on children’s memory recall ability
Martin & Halverson Procedure
Kindergartner’s were shown pictures of activities that consistent or inconsistent with gender role schemas (such as girl holding doll or hammer). A week later, their recall was tested on which gender was performing the activities in the pictures.
Martin & Halverson Findings
Children had distorted memories of pictures that were not consistent with gender role schemas. In addition, they were more confident and demonstrated less distortion of memory when pictures were consistent with gender role schema.
Martin & Halverson Conclusion
Stereotypes affect both encoding and retrieval of information
Milner & Corkin Aim
Understand the effects of hippocampus removal surgery on cognitive abilities
Milner & Corkin Procedure
Case study: Psychometric testing, Direct observation of behaviour, Interviews with HM & family members, Cognitive testing (memory recall and mirror drawing), MRI
Milner & Corkin Findings
HM could not acquire new episodic and semantic knowledge. He was able to remember his house and draw a floor plan of his new house. He was able to carry normal conversations. He remembered and showed improvement in procedural memories.
Milner & Corkin Conclusion
Memory systems are complex. Hippocampus played a significant role in transferring STM to LTM. LTM contains different stores for spatial, procedural, episodic and semantic memory.
Warrington & Shallice Aim
Understand the effects of brain damage on cognitive abilities
Warrington & Shallice Procedure
Longitudinal Case study: Observation and cognitive testing
Warrington & Shallice Findings
KF forgot words and numbers that were orally presented to him. However, he could remember them if presented visually and was able to recall cats meowing and phones ringing