Psych 6 Markers

Paragraph 1 – What do I say about cognitive models?

• Cognitive models represent complex mental processes in a simplified way

• They break cognition into stages or components

• This allows researchers to make predictions and design testable studies

• Since processes like imagination cannot be directly observed

• Models provide a framework to operationalize and study them empirically

🎨 Paragraph 2 — Stage 1: Selecting elements (with evidence)

• Introduce the study

• Describe stage 1 of the model

• Show how the model guided predictions

• Link to observed behaviour

Key ideas to include

• Study: children creating imaginary creatures

• Model has three stages

• First stage = selecting elements

• Prediction: children choose a subset of elements

• Evidence: children selected specific toy body parts

Paragraph 2 – What do I write about Stage 1 (selecting elements)?

• In the study of children creating imaginary creatures

• The model proposed three stages of imagination

• The first stage was selecting elements

• The model predicted children would choose a subset of available parts

• This was supported as children selected specific toy body parts

• Shows models generate observable, testable predictions

Paragraph 3 — Stage 2: Combining elements (with evidence)

Job of the paragraph

• Explain second stage

• Show how internal processes become observable

• Use study evidence

Key ideas to include

• Second stage = random combination of elements

• Prediction: children recombine chosen parts

• Evidence: children spent time combining parts

• Supports idea imagination uses existing elements

• Models allow internal processes to be studied via behaviour

Paragraph 3 – What do I write about Stage 2 (combining elements)?

• The model predicted a second stage of randomly combining elements

• Researchers observed children combining the selected body parts

• This supports the idea that imagination involves recombining existing elements

• Cognitive models allow internal mental processes to be investigated

• Through observable and measurable actions