Cognitive Processing

What are models of memory?

• frameworks for understanding conceptualizations of human memory processes. Though there is no single model that fully explains memory, they do show how researchers have understood memory over time.

What is an example of a memory model?

One example is the Multi-store model (MSM)

What is MSM

• Multi-store model (MSM): First proposed in 1968, this theory suggests that information flows through three stores, each with different capacities in a linear process.

• Information is first stored in sensory memory for a fraction of a second, then transferred to short-term memory if attention is paid.

• STM has a limit of 7 items ±2 that can be stored in the form of sound for 30 seconds,

• then it is transferred to long-term memory. If not rehearsed, then new info enters STM, replacing old info.

• Information in LTM is transferred through rehearsal and has an unlimited capacity and can be retrieved back to the STM.

How does the multi-store model explain memory formation?

• MSM explains how memory works: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

• Complex mental processes become easier to understand.

• However, models are often theoretical and reductionist, oversimplifying memory and failing to reflect its dynamic nature.

what study to use for Models of memory?

Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)

Aim, method, result of Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)

aim: investigate the existence of memory stores via the serial possition effect; tendensy of recalling the first (primacy effect) LTM and last (recency effect) STM items.

Method:

• 46 army men were presented with a list of 15 words red out loud at one second intervals

• there were 3 conditions: immediet recall, 10 second delay, and 30 second delay. those in delay conditions perfromed a filer task, counting backwards.

• this was a repeated measures design.

Result

• participants showed both primacy and recency when recalling imedietly. The longer the delay, the weaker the recency effect while primacy effect stayed the same.

What is the schema thoery?

• This theory suggests that our knowledge is organized into mental structures called schemas.

• Schemas are internal mental representations used to help organize information.

• It helps simplify and interpret lots of information we encounter daily.

What is an example of schemas?

• pattern recognition

How does out mind use cogitive schemas to make sense of the world?

• mental shortcuts that turn raw data into meaningful patterns.

• Often, reconstructing memory so the world feels continuous and predictable also filters the information we notice, thereby introducing biases as well.

What is one study for schemas?

Barrlett (1932)

Aim method and result of Barlett 1932

aim: investigate how cultural schemas influence the recontructive nature of memory

Method

• british particiaptns were tole a Native American folktale which contained unfamiliar words and concpets.

• participants were asked to reproduce the sotry multiply times over different time durations from days to years. this procedure is called repeated production.

Result

• the story became shorter and changed through: assimilation, where details were changed to fit thier own cultural schemas (canoes to boats), Leveling, where info was omitted when deemed irrelevent or condeusing, and sharpening, where the order of the story was changed to be more logical to a western mind.

What is thinking and decision-making?

• Thinking is using infromation.

• Modern research into thinking and decision-making often refers to rational and intuitive thinking.

What is one model or theory of thinking and decision making?

• The dual-processing model is a model of thinking and decision-making, suggesting that it is split into two modes: system 1 and system 2

• System 1 for fast, intuitive, automatic, emotional thinking, and is highly prone to errors. Like driving or reading words.

• and system 2 for controlled, analytical thinking that requires more focus and reasoning. like critical thinking.

What is one study for thinking and decision making?

Tversku and Kahneman 1974

Aim method and result of Tversku and Kahneman 1974

aim: investigate the effect of achoring, a cognitive bias where individual rely on initial peice of information for judement, on the estimation of numerical values.

method

• researchers spun a rigged wheel of fortune that would stop at either 10 or 65

• highschool students were asjed if the percentage of african nations in UN was higher or lower than the number on the wheel

• then they were asked to estimate the actual percentage

Result:

• participants who saw the wheel stop at 10 gave a median estimate of 25% while those who saw the weel stop at 65 gave a median estimate of 45%.

• Even through students knew the number on the wheel was random, it inflences answer, demonstrating system 1 thinking via anchoring.