Cognitive Studies

Question 1

Multi-Store Memory Model
- The idea the our memory has different “stores”. This explains short and long term memory.
Sensory memory - 5 senses, info. Stored for only a few seconds.
Short term memory - when you pay attention to something it transfers to short term store. Limited amount of space. Info. Lasts for 15-30 sec, rehearsal causes info. To travel to the next store.
Long term memory - permanent memories, unlimited capacity

Answer 1

HM: Case study
Background- HM was hit by a cyclist when crossing the street. Started having epileptic attacks and by 27 he could live a normal life bc of seizures. Went into surgery where they removed tissue from the hippocampus. After he couldn’t remember info that had just happened. (Transfer short term memory to long term).

Aim - case study to better understand the effects the surgery had on HM.
Procedure - case study, IQ testing, interviews, memory tests.
Result- HM couldn’t acquire new episodic knowledge. So, Hippocampus responsible for transferring short term memory to long term.

Question 2

The Duel processing theory by Daniel Kahneman
System 1: quick, requires limited effort, based on past experiences, prone to error. Ex) sitting at the same lunch table everyday.
System 2: requires concentration + effort, logic, more reliable. Ex) problem solving, job interview.

Answer 2

Tversky and Kahneman: Lab study
Aim- to see if people would relay on the first number and use it for an anchor for their answer (ANCHORING BIAS AND SYSTEM 1 THINKING)
Procedure- two groups of high school student’s were randomly allocated into groups. Ask to solve 1x2x3x4x5x6x7x8 in 5 seconds and opposite.
Results- the median for ascending group was much lower than the descending groups.

Question 3

Flashbulb Memory theory : Brown and Kulik
- a permanent memory created by a trigger of strong/ surprising emotions.
- can name place, who told you, event, affect, and aftermath.
Happen from: rehearsal of overt or covert.
Or
Neuro-physiology = emotions create permanent memory

Answer 3

Brown and Kulik:
Aim - to investigate whether surprising and personally significant events can cause flashbulb memories.
Procedure - questionnaire, 40 black, 40 white, all males, were ask about where they were when they found out Martin Luther King Jr died.
Result - 75% black had flashbulb memory
33% white had flashbulb memory
Also asked about JFK assassination

Question 4

Reconstructive memory
- memories are not saved as complete, coherent wholes.
- beliefs and past experiences influence memory.
- reconstruct memory = schema

Answer 4

Loftus and Pickrell: lost in the mall study
Aim- to determine if false memories of autobiographical events can be created through the power of suggestion.
Procedure- Participants got a questionnaire with 3 real events and one fake “lost in the mall”. Participants then interviewed and asked to recall and name the false memory.
Results- 25% guessed false memory but wasn’t confident.

Question 5

Schema Theory : Brewer and Treyens
- based on past experiences.
- organize current knowledge and provide framework for future understanding.
- Prior knowledge influences how we process new information.

Answer 5

Brewer and Treyens: Messy desk study
Aim- to figure out the role of schema in the encoding/retrieval of memory.
Procedure- participants were university psychology students, each was left in a room for 35 seconds. Some were asked to record the object in the room, draw a photo, or verbally say it.
Results- we expect what to see in a room based on schema