1. Linking in to Research Methods -the experimental Method
Cognitive psychology
Linking in to Research Methods -the experimental Method

2. Lesson Aims
You will be participants in an experiment which demonstrates how information is best processed in LTM.
You will reflect on the actual process of conducting an experiment.
You will write up the experiment using the conventional reporting format

3. Craik and Lockhart (1972)
proposed that memory was enhanced more by depth of processing than by how long information was rehearsed.
They suggested that rehearsal was mainly effective if the rehearsal was done in a deep and meaningful way. In a number of experiments they demonstrated that passive rehearsal does not result in better retention.

4. Rehearsal, is the process of cycling information through memory
Rehearsal, is the process of cycling information through memory. Craik and Lockhart proposed two kinds of rehearsal. Maintenance rehearsal merely repeats the kind of analysis that has already been carried out. In contrast, elaborate rehearsal involves a deeper, more meaningful analysis of the stimulus.
“The deep level is the storage of meaning and networks of association. Deeper processing results in more elaborate, longer lasting, and stronger memory traces. When the learner analyzes for meaning, she may think of other, related associations, images, and past experiences related to the stimulus.”

5. Levels of Processing experiment
Craik and Lockhart (1972)

6. Investigating memory
Today our research aim is to test the effect of different levels of processing on the recall of information
Our second aim is to support the LoP theory proposed by Craik and Lockhart (1972)

7. Consent
As part of my research I am conducting research into cognitive psychology, which investigates how our brain processes information. By signing this consent form, you are agreeing to take part in the investigation that I am carrying out. During and after the experiment all your data will be kept confidential and will be used solely for this investigation. You will not be harmed, psychologically or physically, during the experiment. You have the right to withdraw at any time during the experiment, and this will result in all your data being destroyed. The purpose of the experiment will be explained to you after it is carried out.
Thank you for your agreement to take part in my investigation. Do you have any questions at this point?

8. Standardised Instructions
I have placed in front of you an A4 sheet.. Please read and follow the instructions at the top of the page. You have 1 minute Turn sheet over as soon as you have finished

9. Thank you. That completes this part of the study

10. Now answer these maths questions
7x9
12x11
4x6
13x5
8x7
4x4

11. How did you do?
7x9
12x11
= 63
=132
4x6
13x5
=24
=65
8x7
4x4
=56
=16

12. You’re ability to retrieve this information will now be tested
recall as many of the target words as you can

13. What kinds of questions were you asked?
Does the word have two or three vowels?
(requires shallow processing)
Does the word refer to a plant or an animal?
(requires semantic processing)

14. Big group stop What experimental design is this?
What is the weakness with this design?
How was this weakness overcome?

15. Data sheet –number of words recalled
Participants
Shallow Processing = visual
Intermediate processing = auditory level
Deep Processing = semantic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

16. Data sheet –number of words recalled
Participants
Shallow Processing = visual
Intermediate processing = auditory level
Deep Processing = semantic 5 10
2 4 15 6 11 12 9 4 7
p10=5
p10=9

17. Descriptive Statistics
Calculate the Mean, Median and Mode
Which best represents the data?
Calculate the range – highest score minus lowest score [plus 1 for error]
The measures of central tendency and the measures of dispersion go into a table
The best average goes into a graph

18. Presenting raw scores is not a good idea
Individual Ppt graphs can be confusing – imagine having 1000 participants!
The simpler the better is the rule to follow – see next slide

19. Condition A Shallow Processing Condition B Deep processing
Better to show the Mean (average) number of words recalled in each condition
Remember to include a descriptive title
Label the y axis – “number of words recalled out of 20” 11
Bar chart =
Bars don’t touch! 5
Label each bar the same way as you labelled the table
Condition A Shallow Processing
Condition B Deep processing

20. Results of class experiment
These are known as the measures of central tendency and the measures of dispersion
No words remembered using visual (shallow) processing
No words recalled using semantic (deep) processing
From the class data we need to work out the mean, mode, median, range and standard deviation
Click here for information and videos

21. Reporting Psychological Investigations
Black mask page
Task:
Write up the Levels of Processing Experiment using the information in your text book for the relevant sections