loftus

Question 1

how loftus illustrates cognitive approach

Answer 1

Cognitive investigates mental processing. One idea is that we actively organise and manipulate information we receive. Loftus showed verb used distorted memory, where smashed was the highest. Shows memory are not passively stored, and that info is actively manipulated.

Question 2

what was the use of quantitative data for loftus?

Answer 2

Strength:

Statistics allowed easy comparison of the conditions, clearly showing that memory is affected by the wording of questions. loftus compared mean speed estimates for 5 verbs and found smashed led to higher estimate than contacted.

Question 3

what was the reliability for loftus?

Answer 3

Lab procedures are highly standardized eg length of the film was specified which makes them reliable and replicable. Expt 1 and2 show that memory can be distorted therefore both studies are in agreement.

Question 4

what was the conclusion for loftus?

Answer 4

Study 1:

Participants may have been affected by a response bias. The wording of the question may have indicated what the experimenter wanted, and they acted under demand characteristics.

Question 5

what were the results for loftus?

Answer 5

Expt 2:

• Ps in the smashed condition gave higher speed estimates than those in the hit condition
• More ps who had the verb smashed reported seeing broken glass.

Question 6

what was the aim for loftus?

Answer 6

If the phrasing of questions about a car crash would alter participants’ memory of an event

Question 7

what was the use of independent measures design?

Answer 7

Weakness:

P variables may affect results. Exp as a driver may influence how confident ps are on their speed estimates, more experienced drivers may be less affected by leading questions

Question 8

what was the sample for loftus?

Answer 8

Only USA

Student samples may be more ethnocentric as they are predominantly white and middle class.