Grant Et Al

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

• to test context-dependent memory
• do we recall better if we learn in the same or different environment? (Eg. Silent + silent or noisy + silent)

Question 2

Research Method

Answer 2

Lab experiment
+ : highly controlled environment, eliminates extraneous variables, ez to replicate so reliable
- : lack of realism, difficult to set up lab procedures where ppl would behave as they would irl

Independent measures

Question 3

Sample

Answer 3

• 39 ppts: 17f + 23m
• 17 to 56 yrs
• opportunity sample
• 8 psychology student recruited 5 acquaintances (1 omitted)
• in American uni

Question 4

Variables

Answer 4

• IV: silent or noisy conditions, matching or mismatching conditions
• DV: ppts performance on recall (10 short answer Qs) + recognition (16 multiple choice Qs)
• CV: headphones, answer short Qs first

Question 5

Procedure

Answer 5

MATERIALS: headphones, Psycho immunology article, 2 tests

1) Read article
2) Independent measures ~ silent condition; told won’t hear anything
3) Noisy condition ~ would hear moderate bg noise, told to ignore
4) Reading times recorded by researcher then had 2 min break
5) Did short ans Qs first then multiple choice in ppts set conditions
6) Ppts debriefed, lasted 30mins

Question 6

Quantitative Results

Answer 6

Mean correct answers
- silent-silent: 6.7sa + 14.3mc
- noisy-noisy: 6.2sa + 14.3mc
- silent/noisy: 4.6sa + 12.7mc
- noisy/silent; 5.4 + 12.7

Question 7

Type of data

Answer 7

Quantitative
no. correct answers:
> can draw table/bar chart
> can easily analyse
> can easily compare
> lacking insight/reasoning

Question 8

Results

Answer 8

• ppts spent roughly equal amounts of time reading materials in all groups
• no sig diff in recall scores whether materials were learned/retrieved in noisy or silent environment
• sig diff between matching + mismatching conditions
  > studying in same environment produced better results

Question 9

Conclusions

Answer 9

• no overall effect of noise on performance
• context dependency effects for newly learned meaningful material —> studying/testing in same environment leads to enhanced performance

IMPLICATIONS:
> students likely to perform better in exams if they study in quiet environment
> evidence

Question 10

Context dependent memory

Answer 10

Improved recall of info when context present at encoding (learning) + retrieval are the same

Question 11

Links to cognitive area ;

Answer 11

• internal mental processes eg. memory
• computer analogy
  > input (noise) –> () –> output (scores)

Question 12

Validity

Answer 12

• high internal validity ; controls ensure IV only impacted DV ~ tested what it was set out to test
• good external validity ; can be applied to learning surroundings since conditions = similar

Question 13

Reliability

Answer 13

• high reliability, replicable
• standardized procedure ;
• extraneous variables limited by controls
  > same 16 short ans Qs first then 10 multiple choice, all wore headphones

Question 14

Sampling bias/Ethnocentrism

Answer 14

• opportunity: quick/easy to collect, some bias ; same community
• ✕ generalise ; ✕ everyone uni students
• small sample but m & f + age range ✓
• one uni in one American area
• BUT cognitive abilities don’t vary much between cultures

Question 15

Ethics

Answer 15

• ✕ deception, opportunity + volunteered
• ✓ pfh, ic, rtw, debrief after, c

Question 16

Practical applications

Answer 16

• noise has ✕ effect on effective recall
• same learning + recall conditions = best performance
• helps w revision methods, exams