3.8 psychCognitive Psychology and Memory Study Notes

Definition of Cognition
  - Cognition encompasses all mental processes. This includes:
    - Thinking
    - Sensing
    - Remembering
  - Cognitive processes pertain to how we understand and process information.
  - Cognitive psychology focuses on understanding how we know and what we know.

Albert Bandura
- Canadian-American psychologist recognized for studies on social learning.
- Notable for the Bobo Doll experiment.
Discussion on Violent Video Games
  - Question posed: Do violent video games lead to increased aggression in children?
  - Responses varied:
    - Some students believe in a correlation.
    - Others disagree, indicating no effect.
  - Historical context: Concerns arose during the late 1990s to early 2000s with the release of games like Grand Theft Auto.
  - Comparison drawn to previous controversies involving media (e.g., Harry Potter and Pokemon).
Bobo Doll Experiment
  - Conducted in the 1960s and 70s, divided children into two groups:
    - One group observed adults acting aggressively toward Bobo, an inflatable clown.
    - Control group did not view aggressive behavior.
  - Results:
    - Children exposed to aggression imitated the behavior, demonstrating increased aggression towards Bobo.
    - Control group displayed less aggressive behavior.
  - Implications for parenting:
    - Emphasizes that children learn behaviors through observation, requiring parents to model positive behaviors.

Discussion on the role of media in shaping perceptions:
- Easy access to violent content through modern platforms such as TikTok and Reddit.
- Concept of media as an echo chamber, reinforcing existing views and behaviors.

Definition
- Horizontal oppression refers to when individuals from the same power level reinforce oppressive behaviors toward each other, often seen in historically marginalized groups.
Examples and Context
  - Discussion on female oppression in the workplace, including:
    - Queen Bee Syndrome: Older women resist mentoring younger female colleagues.
    - Cumulative oppression: Previously oppressed individuals adopting oppressive behaviors toward their peers.

Early memories discussion
- Personal anecdotes shared, emphasizing how memories can be influenced by emotions and retelling.
Elizabeth Loftus and Memory Research
  - Conducted experiments showing how false memories can easily be implanted, highlighting 25-30% of respondents misremembering events such as being lost in a mall.
  - Notable case of Steve Titus:
    - Wrongfully convicted due to a false memory from a witness, leading to severe personal consequences, including job loss and legal battles.
The Constructive Nature of Memory
- Memories are not reliable recordings but are reconstructed, similar to how a Wikipedia page can be edited.
- Misinformation leads individuals to confidently recall events that didn't happen.
Research Findings on Memory Malleability
- Suggestion and leading questions can influence memory, leading to incorrect identifications or recollections of events.
- Studies involving stressful situations indicate misidentification is common under suggestive questioning.

Discusses ethical implications of using memory manipulation, especially in therapeutic contexts.
- Therapists should not implant false memories in patients as they could cause harm.
- Potential acceptable scenarios for using such techniques on patients with obesity or aversion to healthy foods, although ethically contentious.

False memories can have significant repercussions, influencing behaviors and perceptions for the long term.
Awareness needed to carefully validate memories and recall information.
Development of false memories can stem from narratives shared in therapy or social interactions, leading to inaccurate recollections.

Memory is fragile and easily influenced, highlighting the importance of critical thinking when it comes to personal recollections and the narratives shared in society.
Encouragement to question the integrity of memories and their sources, reflecting on how memories shape personal and collective identities.