paper 1 cog SAQ

Question 1

working memory theory

Answer 1

Baddeley & Hitch 70s

Question 2

models of memory study

Answer 2

Peterson & Peterson 50s

Question 3

intuitive thinking study & theory

Answer 3

Chou & Edges 2010s

Thinking - using information 2 form judgements. dual-processing model - 2 types of thinking & decision-making systems;
system 1 (rational thinking)
system 2 (intuitive thinking) automatic, low cognitive effort, trivial, quick-thinking, influenced by heuristics,

Chou and Edges (2012)

Question 4

biases

Answer 4

Chou & Edges 2010s

Question 5

schema study & theory

Answer 5

Bartlett 30s

Schema theory - brain structures & organises, information via mental representations of those ideas.
- framework of schemas developed from past experience
- may result in reconstructive memory if information is not conducive 2 structuring of schemas

Question 6

emotion and cognition

Answer 6

Neisser & Harsch 90s

Question 7

reconstructive memory study

Answer 7

Bartlett 30s

Question 8

working memory theory Baddeley & Hitch 70s

Answer 8

Working memory explains the short term store component of multi-store memory
Working memory is “the small amount of information that can be held in the mind and used/processed/manipulated for the execution of cognitive tasks”
- Accessible information drawn from the long term memory that is consciously thought about and has our attention and is being processed
Problem solving would be an abstract component of working memory
Most working memory falls under visuospatial sketchpad or phonological loop
- Visuospatial sketchpad e.g. navigation involves manipulation or processing of visual information
Phonological loop e.g. music involves manipulation or processing of auditory information

• A lot of visual, and auditory information is drawn out from the long-term memory, but since information can be too large for the working memory at once (e.g. a whole entire song), the episodic buffer retrieves bits of information from the long-term memory into the working memory—rather than consciously thinking about the entire piece of information.
• Allows only small bits of information which is relevant into the working memory to be processed to prevent cognitive overload
• The visuospatial sketchpad, and phonological loop—and thus episodic buffer—are both commanded by the central executive
• Central executive commands the working memory to focus and be attentive to differing pieces of information in the working memory
• Central executive is the conscious effort or direction of attention, to imagine something—visuospatial, or hear something—phonological

Question 9

Peterson and Peterson (1959) Study

Answer 9

AIM
- investigate duration of short-term memory & its components

METHOD
- students recalled meaningless 3-consonant syllables ‘(hard to memorise) after varying time intervals w/ problem-solving tasks to prevent rehearsal

RESULTS
- longer time interval = less recall (vice versa)

IMPLICATIONS
- Working memory:
- phonological loop in working memory used 2 recall the syllables, however,
- during time intervals , central executive focused on problem solving task , the working memory no longer activating phonological loop , thus more of the information is lost

Question 10

Bartlett (1932)

Answer 10

AIM
- investigate distortion of foreign stories due to schema encoding

METHOD
- UK ppt told Native American legend w/ foreign concepts & names

• ppt asked 2 retell the legend a few days, then weeks, then months later

RESULTS
- increasingly distorted parts of legend w time

• names & concepts converted 2 westernised concepts

IMPLICATIONS
- new information & foreign concepts are altered to fit into pre-existing schemas

Question 11

Neisser & Harsch (1992)

Answer 11

AIM
- investigate accuracy of flashbulb memories

METHOD
- recall 80s space shuttler disaster 24 hours after & then 2 years after

RESULTS
- ppt recalled the space shuttle disaster w/ conviction 2 years later,

• however memory had on average distorted by 40% in accuracy

IMPLICATIONS
- flashbulb memories are highly influenced by external discussion of the event

• flashbulb memories can deteriorate in accuracy like normal memories

Question 12

Chou and Edges (2012)

Answer 12

AIM
- To investígate availability heuristic of Facebook posts causing ppl 2 incorrectly evaluate their social lives disproportionately

• availability heuristic - bias where more available examples in memory causes people 2 overestimate the frequency of the example

STUDY
Survey

PARTICIPANTS
- 400+ US students

METHOD
- ppt responded how much they spent on FB
- how long had FB
- how many FB friends didnt know personally
vs
- how much time spent w real life friends

• ppt ranked how strongly they agreed w statements such as: “many of my friends are happier than me”

RESULTS
- ppts more time FB = were more likely 2 agree other ppl happier
- less time FB = less likely 2 agree

IMPLICATIONS
- more FB time = more available examples of ppl having fun social lives
- thus more likely 2 disproportionately compare & assume less happiness of their own lives