Psychology Paper 3 Revision

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Questions and Answers

What role does scopolamine play in the context of a laboratory experiment?

It enhances the action of acetylcholine.

It serves as an antagonist that impairs memory encoding. (correct)

It acts as an agonist to improve cognitive performance.

It increases gray matter in the brain.

What is a key characteristic of field experiments compared to laboratory experiments?

They have higher levels of control over variables.

They involve only simulated scenarios.

They utilize solely random assignment of groups.

They are conducted in natural settings to observe genuine behaviors. (correct)

What is the purpose of informed consent in research involving scopolamine?

To guarantee transparency and respect participants' well-being. (correct)

To ensure participants are unaware of the study's aim.

To increase the likelihood of participant recruitment.

To avoid the need for debriefing after the experiment.

What is a potential limitation of using antagonists like scopolamine in cognitive research?

They may lead to changes in physiological and cognitive functioning. Signup and view all the answers

How does physostigmine affect acetylcholine levels in the synaptic cleft?

By inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down, enhancing availability. Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern associated with debriefing participants after the study?

Potential misunderstandings related to the study's true aims. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of laboratory experiments is often criticized due to the artificial controlled environment?

Generalizability of findings to real-world settings. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does increased gray matter have on cognitive functioning?

It facilitates the formation and reinforcement of neural pathways. Signup and view all the answers

What type of generalization focuses on the applicability of findings across different populations or contexts?

Representational generalization Signup and view all the answers

Which method can enhance the credibility of research findings by using multiple sources or methods?

Triangulation Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern when relying on self-reported data in research?

Memory distortion Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bias is caused by the researcher's influence on the study's data interpretation?

Researcher bias Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of employing blind procedures in research?

They prevent researcher bias. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of Kulkofsky et al's study regarding cultural influences?

The role of cultural categorization in flashbulb memories Signup and view all the answers

What ethical consideration ensures participants are informed about the purpose of a study?

Informed consent Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation of the sampling method described in Miranda and Methany's study?

It may lack diversity among participants Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT valid for ensuring the ethical treatment of participants in psychological research?

Deception Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'generalizability' refer to in research findings?

The applicability of findings to broader populations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the primary aim of idiographic studies?

To explore unique cases for deeper understanding Signup and view all the answers

What is an important characteristic of a nomothetic study?

Aims for general rules applicable to large groups Signup and view all the answers

Which research design involves comparing different groups of participants given different conditions?

Independent measures design Signup and view all the answers

What does epigenetics refer to in relation to genes?

Interactions between genes and the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element of Darwin's theory of natural selection?

Adaptive characteristics help species survive Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes genetic predisposition?

Influencing susceptibility without guaranteeing an outcome Signup and view all the answers

How is genetic vulnerability defined?

Inherited susceptibility due to specific genetic factors Signup and view all the answers

What does the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) influence in humans?

Mate selection preferences based on immune system variation Signup and view all the answers

What is a major concern regarding genetic research on participants?

It may lead to stigma or misattributed family information Signup and view all the answers

What do kinship studies assess in relation to behaviors or traits?

The natural variation in genetic relatedness among family members Signup and view all the answers

What does genetic determinism imply about human development?

Environment plays a lesser role than genetics Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of short-term memory according to the multi-store model?

A few seconds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes System 1 thinking?

Fast and heuristic-driven Signup and view all the answers

What do schemas influence according to the content provided?

Attention and memory construction Signup and view all the answers

What is an anchoring bias?

A reference point affecting decision-making Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the dual processing model in thinking?

Division between emotional and rational processes Signup and view all the answers

What are flashbulb memories characterized by?

Vivid and detailed recall Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive process involves choosing between alternatives based on values?

Decision-making Signup and view all the answers

What ethical consideration is crucial in studies involving distressing content, like car accident footage?

Emotional debriefing after distress Signup and view all the answers

What does reconstructive memory suggest about the nature of memory?

Memory is influenced by schemas and can be distorted Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the misinformation effect?

It indicates how false information can alter memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using deception in research studies?

To avoid altering participants' behavior and achieve more accurate results Signup and view all the answers

Which method was primarily used in Loftus and Palmer's study on language and memory recall?

Laboratory experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary limitation of using a laboratory experiment like Loftus and Palmer's?

Artificial nature of the environment Signup and view all the answers

What defines a quasi-experiment in psychological research?

The independent variable is not manipulated by the experimenter. Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical concern is raised by the use of deception in research studies?

Participants' right to be informed about the study's aim Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of Brown and Kulick's study regarding flashbulb memories?

The clarity, vividness, and longevity of flashbulb memories Signup and view all the answers

What type of data collection method did Brown and Kulick's study primarily employ?

Questionnaire Signup and view all the answers

What significant risk did participants face in Brown and Kulick's study?

Psychological distress from recalling personal memories Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does the interactionist approach in psychology emphasize regarding human behavior?

Both biological and environmental factors influence behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major advantage of using MRI technology in psychological research?

It is completely non-invasive and has minimal harm. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of self-reported data collection methods like those used in Brown and Kulick's study?

Unreliable data due to social desirability biases and inaccuracies. Signup and view all the answers

What ethical consideration should be emphasized when studying emotion-laden memories in research?

The right to withdraw should be clearly addressed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

SAQs and Paper 3 Psychology Revision

3 SAQs (no options) - 27 marks
Paper 3 - 24 marks
Responses must be fully focused on the question
Responses must meet the command term requirements
Knowledge and understanding must be accurate, addressing the main topics/problems in the question
Responses must be supported by research, explicitly linked to the question.
Introduction: Thesis statement
Key terms defined
Appropriate research (ASMPRCE) described
Conclusion explicitly links study to theory/concept

Cognitive Approaches to Understanding Behaviour

The brain is a set of mental processes (memory, perception, thinking, language, attention)
Cognitive misers – avoid actively processing information to conserve time/effort
Schemas- frameworks based on past experiences, used to understand new experiences
Bartlett's study (War of the Ghosts) showed distortion, assimilation, levelling, omission, and sharpening of memories, reflecting cognitive schemas.

Memory Models

Atkinson and Shiffrin's Multi-Store Model (MSM):
- Sensory memory: initial stage, brief storage
- Short-term memory (STM): limited capacity, temporary storage
- Long-term memory (LTM): permanent storage, potentially unlimited
Baddeley and Hitch's Working Memory Model (WMM):
- Central executive: controls attention and cognitive processes
- Phonological loop: verbal and acoustic information
- Visuospatial sketchpad: visual and spatial information
- Episodic buffer: integrates information from other components
Displacement decay (STM): Information lost due to new information or fading over time without rehearsal/repetition
Serial Position effect (Primacy & Recency): Better recall of items at beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of a list

Thinking and Decision Making

Biases (e.g., anchoring bias) affect decision-making
Thinking is the process of using knowledge/information for planning, problem-solving, and decision making
Dual processing model (System 1 and System 2 thinking) – (automatic vs. controlled/rational)

Working Memory Model

Central Executive: Controls attention and cognitive processes
Phonological Loop: Stores verbal and auditory information.
Visuospatial Sketchpad: Stores visual and spatial information.
Episodic Buffer: Integrates information from other components

Long-Term Storage Memory

Various types of biases affect decision making (emotional/contextual)
Decision making is identifying/choosing alternatives based on values/preferences
Thinking is critical to decision-making to formulate thoughts, problem solve, and evaluate scenarios

Cognitive Processes and Studies

Loftus and Palmer: Study on eyewitness testimony
Glanzer & Cunitz: Study on serial position effect (STM)
Englich & Mussweiler: Study on anchoring bias
Brown & Kulick: Study on flashbulb memories
Maguire et al: Study on London taxi drivers (HM) and neuroplasticity
Draganski: Study on brain plasticity following new learning
Antonova et al: Study on the effect of scopolamine on memory
McGaugh and Cahill: Study on the effect of stress hormones on emotional memory
Wedekind et al: Study on MHC and mate selection
Caspi et al: Study on gene-environment interaction and depression

Ethical Considerations in Research

Informed consent, anonymity/confidentiality, right to withdraw, deception, protection from harm, debriefing.

Generalizability and Transferability

Generalizability: extent findings can be applied to broader populations.
Transferability: extent findings apply to similar contexts or situations

Credibility in Research

Triangulation: combining methods to enhance credibility
Reflexivity: critical self-awareness to identify researcher influence
Accurate participant reporting (potential participant bias)

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Description

Prepare for your Psychology Paper 3 with this structured quiz focusing on SAQs. This revision covers cognitive approaches to understanding behavior, including key concepts like schemas and Bartlett's study. Ensure your answers meet command terms and are supported by relevant research.