IB Diploma Psychology - Cognitive Approach: SAQs Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, studies, and terms from the Cognitive Approach SAQs notes.

Atkinson and Shiffrin’s Multi-Store Model (MSM)

A memory model with three stores—sensory memory, Short-Term Memory (STM), and Long-Term Memory (LTM)—through which information passes with different capacities and durations.

Sensory Memory

Brief initial storage of sensory information from the five senses that lasts a fraction of a second unless attended to.

Short-Term Memory (STM)

A temporary store for information held for about 30 seconds, encoded acoustically/visually, and expandable by rehearsal or mnemonics.

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

A relatively permanent memory store with semantic encoding and large capacity; retrieval can be challenging.

Encoding

The process of converting sensory input into a memory trace for storage.

Rehearsal

Repeating information in STM to maintain it or transfer it to LTM.

Mnemonics

Memory aids that enhance encoding or retrieval of information.

Serial Position Curve

The U-shaped recall pattern showing better memory for items at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of a list.

Primacy Effect

Better recall for items at the start of a list due to transfer to LTM.

Recency Effect

Better recall for items at the end of a list due to retention in STM.

Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)

Classic study showing separate STM and LTM stores via the serial position effect and delays between presentation and recall.

Schema Theory

The idea that prior knowledge frameworks organize perception, memory encoding, and retrieval, shaping how we interpret experiences.

Assimilation

Using an existing schema to interpret new information.

Accommodation

Modifying an existing schema or creating a new one to fit new information.

Piaget

Developmental psychologist who introduced schemas and the processes of assimilation and accommodation.

Bartlett’s War of the Ghosts (1932)

Study showing memory reconstruction is influenced by cultural schemas, leading to distortions of unfamiliar stories.

Reconstruction

The active rebuilding of memories during recall, guided by prior knowledge and schemas.

Omission

A reconstructive memory process where details are left out.

Transformation

A reconstructive memory process where details are altered.

Transposition

A reconstructive memory process where order or sequence of details is changed.

Dual-Systems Theory

The idea that two interacting systems govern thinking: System 1 (fast, automatic) and System 2 (slow, analytical).

System 1

Fast, automatic, intuitive thinking relying on heuristics and emotion; often unconscious.

System 2

Slow, deliberate, analytical thinking using reasoning and conscious control.

Wason Card Selection Task

Experiment illustrating dual-systems reasoning and the tendency to rely on System 1 heuristics like matching bias.

Matching Bias

System 1 heuristic of choosing cards that match statements rather than testing the rule.

Lab Experiment

Controlled experimental method with random allocation and manipulation of IVs to infer causality; high internal validity.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable actively manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable measured in the experiment to assess the effect of the IV.

Extraneous Variables

Uncontrolled factors that could confound results; controlled in lab experiments.

Loftus and Palmer (1974)

Eyewitness memory study showing that leading questions with different verbs can distort memory and speed estimates.

Leading Questions

Questions phrased to influence memory recall or judgment.

Smashed vs Hit

Verbs used in Loftus & Palmer study; ‘smashed’ yielded higher speed estimates and more reported broken glass than ‘hit.’

Reconstructive Memory

Memory as an active reconstruction influenced by post-event information and schemas.

Denes-Raj and Epstein (1994)

Study showing emotion can influence decision-making, leading to heuristic choices when emotional load is high.

Availability Heuristic

Cognitive bias where people judge likelihood or frequency by how easily examples come to mind.

Tversky and Kahneman (1973)

Pioneered the availability heuristic; demonstrated how available information biases judgments.

Flashbulb Memory

Vivid, detailed memories of emotionally significant events, often confidently recalled.

Brown and Kulik (1977)

Survey study on flashbulb memories around deaths of famous leaders and personal shocks.

Survey Method

Self-report data collection using structured questionnaires; can be online, phone, mail; susceptible to social desirability.

Social Desirability Effect

Tendency to answer in a way that is viewed favorably by others rather than truthfully.

Loftus and Pickrell (1995)

Study demonstrating false-memory implantation through deception, highlighting ethical concerns in memory research.

Deception (Ethical Consideration)

Ethical issue where participants are misled; requires debriefing and assessment of potential harm.

Emotion and Cognition

Emotions can influence cognitive processes such as memory, judgment, and decision-making, often via System 1.