Cognitive Terms

Question 1

Multi-Store Memory Model (MSM)

Answer 1

• simplistic representation of memory inspired by computer science
• memory is stored in 3 locations: sensory, short-term (STM), and long-term (LTM)
• memory is sequential, going between the 3 locations in order
• assumes each store operates in a single, uniform way (groups all types of memory - declarative, episodic, semantic, procedural - into one store)
• sensory is large in capacity, but very short duration and little is transferred to STM
• STM could hold 7 (+/- 2) units and must be rehearsed to transfer to LTM
• LTM virtually endless, but retrieval failure occurs because one cannot find the information

Question 2

MSM Evaluation

Answer 2

• both biological and cognitive research to support idea that there are separate memory stores
• gave a baseline for memory models
• over-simplified and assumes each memory store operates as an independent unit
• does NOT explain memory distortion
• does not explain memories that are learned with minimal rehearsal (e.g. flashbulbs)

Question 3

Working Memory Model (WMM)

Answer 3

• replaces STM with four systems:
  phonological loop, episodic buffer, visuospatial sketchpad, and central executive
  (auditory, conscious awareness, visual, control of all - respectively)

Question 4

WMM Evaluation

Answer 4

• supported by experimental evidence
• brain scans have shown different areas of the brain are active when carrying out visual and verbal tasks, showing they use different parts of memory
• case studies of patients with brain damage support the idea of more than one STM store (HM)
• helps explain multitasking
• does NOT clearly explain LTM
• does NOT explain memory distortion or emotion in memory formation

Question 5

Schema Theory

Answer 5

• explains how people process information, relate it to previous knowledge, and use that
• schemas are mental representations or frameworks of information that categorize and sort new input based on prior knowledge and experiences
• cognitive schemas stores and memory and accessed any time
• people remember what makes sense to them, basically
• accounts for memory distortion, since people will adjust to match schema

Question 6

Schema Theory Evaluation

Answer 6

T: testable (Martin and Halvorson, Brewer and Treyens)
E: biological research to support schema
A: can be applied to memory distortion, abnormal psychology (therapy for depression), etc.
C: argued to be too vague and hypothetical since schemas cannot be observed
U: can be applied cross-culturally
P: helps to predict behavior with what information will be recalled when given lists, but can never be exact

Question 7

Dual Processing Model

Answer 7

• two systems that deal with different levels of thinking and decision making

System 1:
- automatic, effortless, intuitive
- everyday decision making, but not logic based and is prone to errors due to taking mental short-cuts and misjudging information

System 2:
- more conscious, rational
- takes more effort and time
- can take into account many possibilities and information and evidence from other situations to make decisions
- more reliable, but less confident since it does not rely on intuition

Question 8

Dual Processing Model Evaluation

Answer 8

• biological evidence that different types of thinking may be processed in different parts of brain
• OVERLY REDUCTIONIST (use this term!!) as it does not explain how, if at all, these models of thinking interact or could be influenced by emotion
• poorly defined, lacks construct validity

Question 9

Research Methods of Cognitive Processing

Answer 9

• experiments: Martin and Halvorson, Glanzer and Cunitz
• control allows for isolation of IV
• random assignment / matched pairs designs
• establishes cause-and-effect
• replicable, reliable

Question 10

Ethical Considerations of Cognitive Processing

Answer 10

• informed consent: HM could not remember that he gave consent, Martin and Halvorson used children who cannot give consent for themselves
• confidentiality: HM’s identity kept hidden so as to not be exploited by others

Question 11

Serial Positioning Effects

Answer 11

Primacy Effect:
- recalling the information at the beginning of a list better because it has moved to LTM

Recency Effect:
- recalling the information at the end of a list better because it is still in STM and has not been displaced yet

Question 12

Assimilation

Answer 12

• adding new information to existing schemas without modifying them

Question 13

Accommodation

Answer 13

• new information causes you to change/modify/create schemas

Question 14

Reconstructive Memory

Answer 14

• theory that memory is distorted by new information because memories are slightly changed with every recall
• only certain details will be remembered, and everything else will be made-up to fill in memory