IB Psychology (Cognitive) sample response HL paper 1, Essays (high school) of Psychology

Download IB Psychology (Cognitive) sample response HL paper 1 and more Essays (high school) Psychology in PDF only on Docsity! Models of memory Describe one model of memory with reference to one study (one-SAQ) / Discuss models of memory with reference to one or more studies (two-ERQ): 1. Multi-stored model of memory The memory model is the multi-store model which is made up of 3 different types of memory, including the sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory. Sensory memory is the thing that enters an individual sense briefly and is only stored for a very few seconds. It’s something that is not paid attention to. If something is taken into attention, it will enter the short-term memory, which can hold the information for only 7 +/- 2 words/items or the duration of 30 seconds. Then if the information is rehearsed for a long time, meaning that it’s repeated many times, then it will be encoded in the long-term memory, which is a long-lasting memory. When the long term memory wants to be used, the brain will retrieve the information. One of the research studies that support the multi-store model of memory is the recency effect by glanzer and cunitz (1966). The aim of the study is to investigate how the position of words in a list affects memory. There were 3 conditions (seconds between each word) that the participants had to do and then they were asked to recall as many words as they could. The result showed that the participants tend to remember the word in the beginning (primary effect) better than the one at the end of the list (recency effect) and only recall a few words in the middle of the list. This study shows how the word in the beginning of the list has been stored into the long-term memory and the word at the end of the list is still retained in the short-term memory, resulting in why participants still remember. This study supports the multi-store model in a way that it shows that there are 2 separate stores of memory. In the study, the primacy effect is the long-term memory and the recency effect is the short-term memory. It’s also shown that the words in the beginning that remain in short-term memory are likely to be rehearsed to long-term memory, which is the concept of multi-store memory model. 2. Working memory model The memory model is the working memory model, which is a cognitive process involved in conscious awareness and is a more developed version of the multi-store model. The short-term memory in this case is renamed to working memory because it’s an ongoing cognitive. The working memory model allows for multiple processes in the STM while suggesting two conditions: if two tasks uses the same component then it can’t be performed successfully together. But if two tasks use different components then it can be performed together. The working memory model includes the central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad and episodic buffer. The central executive is the most important part of working memory. It controls and decides where the relevant materials will be sent in the working memory. It also directs the memory subsystems to focus on a certain task or switch from one task to the next. The phonological loop is the part that deals with verbal components. It stores the auditory information and mentally repeats it in order to remember and encode in long-term memory. The visuospatial sketchpad deals with visual information and spatial awareness. It visualizes a mental picture or map from the sensory or long-term memory. Lastly, the episodic buffer is where all the information in the short-term and long-term memory is projected. It‘s the part that make use of the information from different memory stores. One of the research studies that support the working memory model is the study done by Landry and Bartling (2011). The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of multitasking, when both tasks use the same working memory system, in this case the phonological loop. The participants are separated into 2 groups, one is the multitasking group and one is the single task group. The single task group was asked to memorize strings of letters while the multitasking group was asked to memorize the string of letters while saying the number 1 and 2 repeatedly. The result showed that the multitasking group performed worse than the single task group, suggesting that multitasking leads to inefficiency in working memory especially when it’s using the same working memory system. Evaluate one model of memory: (ERQ) 1. Multi-stored model of memory One of the memory models is the multi-store model which is made up of 3 different types of memory, including the sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory. Sensory memory is the thing that enters an individual sense briefly and is only stored for a very few seconds. It’s something that is not paid attention to. If something is taken into attention, it will enter the short-term memory, which can hold the information for only 5 +/- 2 words/items or the duration of 30 seconds. Then if the information is rehearsed for a long time, meaning that it’s repeated many times, then it will enter in the long-term memory, which is a long-lasting memory. The strength of the multi-store model was that it distinguished between the short-term and long-term memory where it has been supported by many research studies, for example the serial position effect by Murdock (1962). The aim of the study is to investigate how the position of words in a list affects memory. There were 3 conditions (seconds between each word) that the participants had to do and then they were asked to recall as many words as they could. The result showed that the participants tend to remember the word in the beginning (primary There are several models that explain how memory works where the two of them are the Multi-Store model of memory by Atkinson & Shiffrin (1968) and the Working Memory model by Baddeley & Hitch (1974). The Multi-Store model of memory and the Working memory model differ in how it focuses on the short term memory. The multi-store model which is made up of 3 different types of memory, including the sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory. Sensory memory is the thing that enters an individual sense briefly and is only stored for a very few seconds. It’s something that is not paid attention to. If something is taken into attention, it will enter the short-term memory, which can hold the information for only 5 +/- 2 words/items or the duration of 30 seconds. Then if the information is rehearsed for a long time, meaning that it’s repeated many times, then it will enter in the long-term memory, which is a long-lasting memory. One of the research studies that support the multi-store model of memory is the serial position effect by Murdock. The aim of the study is to investigate how the position of words in a list affects memory. There were 3 conditions (seconds between each word) that the participants had to do and then they were asked to recall as many words as they could. The result showed that the participants tend to remember the word in the beginning (primary effect) better than the one at the end of the list (recency effect) and only recall a few words in the middle of the list. This study shows how the word in the beginning of the list has been stored into the long-term memory and the word at the end of the list is still retained in the short-term memory, resulting in why participants still remember. On the other hand, the working memory only focuses on the short-term memory. The working memory model, which is a cognitive process involved in conscious awareness,is a more developed version of the multi-store model but has a limited capacity. The short-term memory in this case is renamed to working memory because it’s an ongoing cognitive. The working memory model suggests two condition: if two tasks uses the same component then it can’t be performed successfully together. But if two tasks uses different components then it can be performed together. The working memory model’s component includes the central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad and episodic buffer. The central executive is the most important part of working memory. It controls and decides the relevant materials to send to where in the working memory. It also directs the memory subsystems to focus on a certain task or switch from one task to the next. The phonological loop is the part that deals with verbal components. It stores the auditory information and mentally repeats it in order to remember and rehearse in long-term memory. The visuospatial sketchpad deals with visual information and spatial awareness. It visualizes a mental picture or map from the sensory or long-term memory. Lastly, the episodic buffer is where all the information in the short-term and long-term memory is projected. It makes use of the information from different memory stores. One of the research studies that support the working memory model is the case study done by Landry and Bartling. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of multitasking, when both tasks use the same working memory system, in this case the phonological loop. The participants are separated into 2 groups, one is the multitasking group and one is the single task group. The single task group was asked to memorize strings of letters while the multitasking group was asked to memorize the string of letters while saying the number 1 and 2 repeatedly. The result showed that the multitasking group performed worse than the single task group, suggesting that multitasking leads to inefficiency in working memory especially when it’s using the same working memory system. This supports the working memory theory that the phonological loop has limited capacity and the fact that if two tasks use the same memory system, then it can’t be performed together. The difference between the 2 memory model is that the working memory only focuses on the short-term memory while the multi-stored memory focuses on the whole memory system. As mentioned earlier, the multi-stored memory focuses on the sensory memory, short-term memory and long-term memory. But the working memory only focuses on the short-term memory (referring to working memory). Another difference that can be seen is that the multi-store model of memory is very simple compared to the working memory model on how it focuses on short-term memory. The short-term memory in multi-stored model of memory only explains its limited capacity of storing information, but the working memory model goes further on explaining that its consist of central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad and episodic buffer. The working memory also explained further on how multitasking is not effective if it utilizes the same memory systems in the short-term memory (supported by the study that is done). It’s clear that the working memory model explains and gives deeper information about the short-term memory, but because it only focuses on the short-term memory, the model fails to talk about the other type of memory like how the multi-stored memory does. Cognitive processing Explain schema theory with reference to one research study: SAQ Schema theory is a theory suggesting that the mind has a mental/cognitive framework that helps organize information (schemas). It’s said that the knowledge that we know is organized and categorized into categories like how information is organized in individual files in the computer. The schema helps us make sense of the complex information in the world that we live in. It helps to organize memories and help in recalling them. For example if an individual were asked about a birthday party, the schema will help recall the memories by retrieving it from the categorized memory. Schemas also help guide behavior and predict what will happen in the future. For example, if an individual is going to watch a movie at a new cinema, schemas would help figure out where to buy the ticket even though he/she has never been to this cinema before. This is because the individual has a schema for going out to other cinemas. And during the beginning of the movie, when the royal anthem comes up, the schema will help the individual to make sense that he/she has to stand for the royal anthem. The schema is supported by many research studies, one of them is the “War of Ghost” case studies by Bartlett (1932). The aim of the study is to investigate how cultural schemas can influence memory. The participants were asked to recall the story “War of Ghosts” that is told to them. The culture and language used in the story was unfamiliar to them. The result showed that the length of the story that is recalled becomes shorter and there are changes in words. This is because the story does not fit in the participant’s culture schema. This study supports the schema theory that schema helps an individual to recall information from the existing schema. But in this case, the story does not fit in the participants' cultural schema, so it leads to memory distortions. Participants changed the word to the word that they are more familiar with because it’s in their existing schemas. Evaluate schema theory: ERQ Schema theory is a theory suggesting that the mind has a mental/cognitive framework that helps organize information (schemas). It’s said that the knowledge that we know is organized and categorized into categories like how information is organized in individual files in the computer. The schema helps us make sense of the complex information in the world that we live in. Schema is influenced by culture, influences the decisions people make, guide behavior and predict what will happen in the future. The schema is supported by many research studies, one of them is the “War of Ghost” case studies by Bartlett (1932). The aim of the study is to investigate how cultural schemas can influence memory. The participants were asked to recall the story “War of Ghosts” that is told to them. The culture and language used in the story was unfamiliar to them. The result showed that the length of the story that is recalled becomes shorter and there are changes in words. This is because the story does not fit in the participant’s culture schema. This study supports the schema theory that schema helps an individual to recall information from the existing schema. But in this case, the story does not fit in the participants' cultural schema, so it leads to memory distortions. Participants changed the word to the word that they are more familiar with because it’s in their existing schemas. Another study that supports the theory is the car crash study by Loftus and Palmer (1974). The aim of the study is to see if the change of verbs in the leading question had an effect on speed estimation. The participants were shown a clip of a car crash and then were asked to estimate the speed of the car by using different verbs such as “smash” “hit” or “bumped”. The results showed that the speed estimate was lower if the question was asked with gentler words. The study supports the theory by showing the use of different words activates different where the questions are framed in 2 different ways: the certainty of saving people and certainty of leaving people to die. The result showed that the 2 groups choose the different options, which suggest that the framing effect affects the participant’s thinking and decision making. The study shows that certainty makes the intuitive (system 1) more accessible since they are certain that a certain amount of people will be saved or die. The intuitive judgement depends on how the problem is framed, if it’s framed easily then it will use the intuitive system, but if it’s complex, it will use the rational thinking system. The first option was chosen by the majority of participants because the risk was framed positively while the second option was framed negatively. This supports the theory that people tend to avoid the risk when the information is formed positively (number of people saved) Emotion and Cognition Explain the influence of emotion on one cognitive process with reference to one study: SAQ The study on cognitive psychology shows that emotion has an effect on the cognitive process. One theory of how emotion affects the cognitive process of memory is the Flashbulb memory theory by Brown & Kulik (1977). Flashbulb memory is a vivid and detailed memory of a highly emotional event that is being recorded in the brain. Brown & Kulik argue that when an individual encounters a highly emotional or unexpected event, flashbulb memory will be created. Flashbulb memory is also said to be accurate and easy to remember compared to normal memory. It’s argued that emotion consists of some pattern of physiological arousal and the activity in the amygdala. LeDoux argue that all emotions flow through the amygdala, which directs unconscious or automatic response to the emotion stimuli. One study that supports this theory is the study conducted by Brown & Kulik (1977) aiming to investigate flashbulb memory and how it works (to support their theory). They interviewed 80 Americans by asking them questions about different events that happened in their life. The result is that most participants recall J.F. Kennedy’s assasitation events and other shocking events like their parents death. The study supports the theory of flashbulb memory where participants recalled a highly emotional event. It also showed that participants remember minor details of the event, indicating that flashbulb memory is different from normal memory that the participants would have forgotten. It’s also shown that flashbulb memory is caused by physiological emotional arousal since the assasitation event is an emotional (shocking) event. Evaluate one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process: ERQ The study on cognitive psychology shows that emotion has an effect on the cognitive process. One theory of how emotion affects the cognitive process of memory is the Flashbulb memory theory by Brown & Kulik (1977). Flashbulb memory is a vivid and detailed memory of a highly emotional event that is being recorded in the brain. Brown & Kulik argue that when an individual encounters a highly emotional or unexpected event, flashbulb memory will be created. Flashbulb memory is also said to be accurate and easy to remember compared to normal memory. One study that supports this theory is the study conducted by Brown & Kulik (1977) aiming to investigate flashbulb memory and how it works (to support their theory). They interviewed 80 Americans by asking them questions about different events that happened in their life. The result is that most participants recall J.F. Kennedy’s assasitation events and other shocking events like their parents death. The study supports the theory of flashbulb memory where participants recalled a highly emotional event. It also showed that participants remember minor details of the event, indicating that flashbulb memory is different from normal memory that the participants would have forgotten. The strength of this study is that it’s high in ecological validity. The experiment was naturalistic because the memory and the reaction of recall are from the real life events that happened. Moreover the interview questions are not too specific so there’s more flexibility in the results. However they only interview Americans so the results cannot be generalized to the rest of the population. It also can’t be sure that the participant recalled the event from actual personal memory; they could have seen it from the media. Also because the study was an interview, the researcher could not establish a cause and effect relationship in the participants (white vs african american) and flashbulb memory. The study is also hard to replicate and the results are only collected in forms of qualitative data. The researcher can be biased because there is no quantitative data collected. Research Methods Explain how and why one research method is used to study the reliability of one cognitive process: SAQ Cognitive process is a mental process that acquires knowledge and understanding through thoughts and experiences. To find out, researchers have to go through research by using different types of research methods to collect and analyze data. There are many research methods in psychology, for example experiments, case studies, observational studies, interview, survey and correlational studies. In many research, researchers tend to use 2 or more type of research (triangulation) to increase credibility of research and they will have to be aware of the biases that are involved in the research. Which can be researcher bias or observer bias. One research method that is being used to study the reliability of one cognitive process is case study. Case study is a study that is conducted to study a group of people over a period of time. It’s used to study a specific or unusual phenomenon. Case studies have high ecological validity because they deal with observing and conducting an in-depth analysis of a group/individual. It mainly deals with research that can’t be conducted in the laboratory, which increases reliability of the research. Also researchers can use triangulation to increase reliability in the research, for example doing both observation and interview to compare the data. However the case studies can’t be replicated, so it’s hard to verify their reliability. One of the case study uses in the cognitive process is Corkin et al case of HM (1997) that deals with HM’s amnesia condition. Case study is used in this case because it’s about a man who suffers from anterograde amnesia as a result of removal of tissue from the temporal lobe, including the hippocampus, so it would not be ethical to conduct in laboratory experiments. Also case studies allow researchers to observe HM’s behavior from his young age to the time after his surgery, helping them notice the link between hippocampus and memory. Lastly this is an unusual case that happened, so other research methods would not be able to collect this in-depth information if it wasn’t a case study. Discuss how and why one research method is used to study the reliability of one cognitive process: ERQ https://psychologymodelanswers.blogspot.com/2019/04/ib-psychology-sample-answer-for-cloa .html Ethical considerations Explain one ethical consideration relevant to one study on the reliability of cognitive process In psychology research, ethics must be considered to make sure that the research is conducted ethically. There are many ethics to consider for example, consent, right to withdraw, confidentiality, deception, debriefing, etc. Deception is one of the ethical considerations that is relevant to the reliability of the research. Deception is when a participant is not aware of the purpose or intention of the study. Researchers will hide the aim of the experiment so the participant would not be influence by the demand characteristic, which is when the participants will act according to what the researcher wants the result to be, which this will decrease the reliability of the research. However after deception, debriefing is needed. A research study on the role of schema by Brewer & Tyrens (1981) is one of the studies that use deception. The participants were not told about the nature of the study and were not told when the experiments begin. This is done to avoid the demand characteristics that can occure. Discuss ethical consideration related to research studies on the cognitive process: ERQ