Midterm1

Question 1

Explain evidence that visual rich slides are more effective for learning than text dense slides

Answer 1

Fenesi and Kim on effective slide design (2014) Participants viewed slides with either: 1) Heavy text and audio narration. 2) Short summary sentences w/ pictures and audio narration that complement each other. After a delay, quiz results showed that participants who saw the 2nd set of slides scored higher. (75% >55%). Students rated text-heavy slides to be better however, objective evidence disagrees.

Question 2

Describe evidence that use of a laptop in lecture impairs learning.

Answer 2

An experiment in McMaster assessed performance after a lecture for a student who was using a laptop and engaged in multitasking compared to participants who didn’t have a computer. • Multitasking scored 11% lower than the control. • People within eyesight of the multitasking performed 17% lower.

Question 3

Explain how the science of the mind developed as a series of reactions against the status quo.

Answer 3

• First: The Scientific method was described, it was a crucial step for the development of cognitive psychology. • Then structuralism as a specific study of the mind • Behaviourism • Then cognition as it’s own sub-discipline, and now we’re in the age of cognitive neuroscience. Each movement was a reaction to what had come before.

Question 4

René Descartes - “I think therefore I am [therefore I exist/have a mind] “

Answer 4

Introduced Critical thinking and was the first to suggest the separation of the mind and body (brain).

Question 5

How did Wilhem Wundt contribute to Cognitive psychology ?

Answer 5

He initiated the Structuralist perspective.

Question 6

What are the functions of the mind?

Answer 6

1) The mind creates and controls mental functions. (Various mental abilities) 2) It is a system that creates representations of the world. (Functioning and survival)