Cognitive Approach - SAQs

What is the Multi-Store Model of memory?

A model proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) suggesting memory consists of three stores: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM), with information passing linearly through attention and rehearsal.

What evidence supports the Multi-Store Model?

Glanzer and Cunitz’s study on the serial position effect showed primacy and recency effects, supporting separate STM and LTM stores.

What is the serial position effect?

Better recall of words at the beginning (primacy effect) and end (recency effect) of a list.

How did Glanzer and Cunitz test the serial position effect?

Participants recalled word lists immediately or after a delay with a distractor task; the recency effect disappeared after delay, primacy effect remained.

What is schema theory?

The theory that memory and understanding are shaped by schemas—mental frameworks built from prior knowledge that help interpret new information but can cause distortions.

What study supports schema theory?

Bartlett’s "War of the Ghosts" study showed participants altered unfamiliar story details to fit their cultural schemas.

How did participants distort the story in Bartlett’s study?

Participants omitted unfamiliar details, rationalized strange concepts, and simplified the story to fit their own cultural norms.

What are the two systems in the Dual Process Model?

System 1 is fast, intuitive thinking using heuristics; System 2 is slow, analytical, and logical thinking.

How did Tversky and Kahneman’s study demonstrate the Dual Process Model?

Under time pressure, participants gave biased estimates influenced by anchoring (System 1), showing reliance on intuition over analysis.

What is the anchoring heuristic?

A bias where initial information (anchor) overly influences judgments and decisions.

What ethical issue is raised by Bartlett’s "War of the Ghosts" study?

Participants may not have been fully informed of the study’s true aim, possibly violating informed consent.

Why is informed consent important in cognitive studies?

It ensures participants understand the nature of the research and can decide to participate with full knowledge, respecting autonomy.

What is the Working Memory Model?

A model by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) that describes short-term memory as an active system with components: phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and central executive.

What does the phonological loop do?

Processes verbal and auditory information, including the articulatory control system and phonological store.

How did Landrey and Bartling’s study support the Working Memory Model?

Articulatory suppression (repeating irrelevant sounds) impaired recall of phonologically similar letters, showing the phonological loop’s role.

What is reconstructive memory?

Memory is actively rebuilt using actual information plus prior knowledge (schemas), which can lead to distortions.

How does Bartlett’s study demonstrate reconstructive memory?

Participants changed unfamiliar story details to fit their schemas, showing memory is a reconstruction, not a perfect reproduction.

What is anchoring bias?

The tendency to rely too heavily on an initial piece of information when making decisions.

What did Tversky and Kahneman find about anchoring bias?

Participants’ estimates were influenced by the order of numbers shown, leading to biased, inaccurate judgments under time pressure.

What is flashbulb memory?

Vivid, long-lasting memories formed during emotionally charged events.

What did Brown and Kulik’s study find about flashbulb memories?

Participants had vivid memories of significant public events, with personal relevance increasing memory vividness.

What research method did Bartlett use?

A quasi-experiment with controlled recall tasks, studying how cultural schemas affect memory reconstruction.

What are the strengths and limitations of Bartlett’s method?

Allowed naturalistic observation of memory distortions but lacked strict experimental control and random assignment.

How was the questionnaire used in Brown and Kulik’s study?

To collect participants’ personal recollections and emotional responses to major public and personal events.

What are advantages and limitations of using questionnaires in this context?

Provided rich subjective data but may be affected by memory distortion and social desirability bias.

What ethical concern arises in Brown and Kulik’s flashbulb memory study?

Asking about traumatic events may cause emotional distress, requiring protection from harm and debriefing.

What are System 1 and System 2 thinking?

System 1 is fast, intuitive, heuristic-based thinking; System 2 is slow, logical, analytical thinking.

How does the Tversky and Kahneman study illustrate the difference?

Under time pressure, participants relied on System 1, leading to biased estimates (anchoring effect).