sem 1 final: part 2 Flashcards
Schema theory
Schema theory states that our knowledge is organized and categorized which influences our cognition and behavior. The schema within our brains affects our ability to comprehend new information which allows us to make generalizations about things. Schema theory is explored in the Loftus & Palmer study.
Reconstructive memory
Reconstructive memory theory states that when memories are accessed, they’re not retrieved as a whole memory, but as independent memories put together. The reconstructive memory theory claims that we alter our stored memories based on our prior knowledge and/or personal beliefs. The idea of reconstructive memory is explored in the Loftus & Palmer study.
Loftus & Palmer study
The Loftus & Palmer study aimed to investigate whether the use of leading questions affected the estimation of speed. Participants in different groups were shown a traffic accident, then were asked to estimate the speed the cars were going when they hit each other. The word “hit” in the critical question was altered for similar words based on the group it was asked in. Results showed that the estimates of speed were highest when using the word “smashed” and lowest when using the word “contacted”.
Flashbulb memory
Flashbulb memories are highly detailed memories where surprising or personally relevant news was received. Within these memories, people are usually able to recall specifics such as what they were doing, who they were with, and who told them. Flashbulb memories are highly resistant to being forgotten and typically less accurate. Flashbulb memory can be connected to the Brown & Kulik study.
Brown & Kulik study
The Brown & Kulik study aimed to investigate whether surprising and personally significant events could cause flashbulb memory. The participants, 40 black men and 40 white men, were given a questionnaire regarding the deaths of public figures. Results showed that 90% of participants recalled a significant amount of detail about the day the deaths occurred. Additionally, 75% of black participants had flashbulb memories about the death of MLK compared to only 33% of white participants.
Multi-store model
The multi-store model states that long-term memory is obtained through a certain pathway. The pathway involves environmental input turning into sensory memory, which turns into short-term memory if it’s given attention. Then, short-term memory turns into long-term memory if rehearsal occurs. The validity of the multi-store model is debated because it overly simplifies the process of obtaining memory and assume each store works indepently. The multi-store model is explored in the HM study.
HM study
The HM study aimed to find out if the removal of the hippocampus affected memory. In order to study HM, the experimenter utilized his IQ tests, observation of his behavior, interviews with him and his family, and MRI scans of his brain. The results showed that the hippocampus was responsible for long-term memory, but not short-term memory, as HM still retained that ability.
Anchoring bias
Anchoring bias is a type of cognitive bias that refers to the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information recieved which influences judgment/decisions when the answer to something is unknown. Anchoring bias occurs because of heuristics, which are “mental shortcuts” our brain takes to solve problems in a fast and sufficient way. The idea of anchoring bias can be connected to the Strack & Mussweiler study.
Strack & Mussweiler study
The Strack and Mussweiler study aimed to test the influence of anchoring bias on decision making. The study involved participants being asked an anchoring question. Group 1 was asked if Gandhi died before before or after the age of 9 and group 2 was asked if Gandhi died before or after the age of 140. Then, they were asked to provide an estimate of Gandhi’s age. The results showed that for group 1, the average age guessed was 50.1, and for group 2, the average age guessed was 66.7.
