Aim: To investigate whether doodling can improve memory.
Cognitive Approach
Psychology Notes
A Level/AS Level/O Level
Cognitive Approach
The Cognitive Approach: Doodling and Memory
1. What is the Cognitive Approach?
The cognitive approach in psychology focuses on how our thoughts, beliefs, and mental processes influence our behaviour. Imagine your brain as a powerful computer; it takes in information, processes it, and then gives you an output (like a decision or action). The cognitive approach deals with how this "mental computer" works.
2. Doodling: More Than Just Scribbles?
Doodling – those simple drawings or scribbles we make while bored or thinking – has long been seen as a sign of boredom or inattentiveness. However, research suggests a different story.
3. The Experiment: A Test of Memory
Imagine a study where participants listen to a boring lecture. Some are allowed to doodle while listening, while others are not. Afterwards, everyone takes a test on the lecture's content. This is a real-life example of a study that has been conducted to see if doodling can actually improve memory!
4. Key Findings: Doodling Can Help!
- Improved Recall: Studies have shown that participants who doodled during the lecture actually remembered more information than those who didn't.
- Focus and Attention: Doodling can help reduce mind wandering during boring tasks. It provides a gentle background activity that keeps your brain engaged without distracting from the main task.
- Stress Reduction: Doodling can be a stress-relieving activity, which can in turn improve concentration.
5. Real World Examples
- Taking Notes: Instead of just writing down notes, try incorporating simple doodles into your notes. This can help you remember the information better.
- Meetings and Lectures: If you find yourself getting bored during a meeting or lecture, don't be afraid to doodle! It might actually help you stay focused and remember what is being said.
6. Limitations:
- Not a Miracle Cure: Doodling won't magically make you remember everything. It's a tool to help improve focus and memory, but it's not a replacement for effective learning strategies.
- Type of Doodling: Simple, repetitive doodles seem to be more effective than complex drawings.
7. Conclusion:
The cognitive approach highlights the importance of our mental processes on behaviour. The study on doodling shows that these simple drawings can be surprisingly effective in improving memory and focus. So next time you find yourself bored, don't be afraid to break out your pen and paper – your brain might thank you for it!
Bonus Notes
Doodling and Memory: A Cognitive Perspective
1. Cognitive Approach and Doodling:
The Cognitive Approach explains doodling's memory benefits through attentional resources. Doodling can occupy idle processing resources, allowing for better focus on the main task. This "mental offloading" prevents mind-wandering, leading to improved attention and memory encoding. However, it's crucial to note that the complexity of the doodle matters – simple, repetitive patterns are most effective, as complex doodling can be distracting.
2. Research Methods:
⭐Strengths: Controlled lab studies offer strong internal validity, manipulating doodling and testing recall. This allows for cause-and-effect inferences.
⭐Weaknesses: Ecological validity is limited, as lab settings may not reflect real-life learning. Participant selection may bias results.
3. Educational Implications:
Doodling's potential to enhance memory in lectures or during learning could revolutionize teaching methods. Teachers could incorporate structured doodling activities into lessons for enhanced student engagement and retention. However, caution is needed to ensure doodling doesn't become a distraction.
4. Individual Differences:
⭐Working Memory: Individuals with high working memory capacity may not benefit as much from doodling as those with lower capacity, as they already have sufficient resources for processing.
⭐Attentional Control: Individuals with better attentional control might not experience the same improvement in memory from doodling, as they are already less prone to mind-wandering.
5. Future Research:
⭐Neural Correlates: Investigate brain activity associated with doodling and memory to further understand the underlying mechanisms.
⭐Long-term Effects: Examine the long-term impact of doodling on learning and memory, beyond immediate recall tasks.
⭐Real-world Applications: Conduct research in natural learning environments to assess the effectiveness of doodling in diverse educational settings.
Overall, the research on doodling and memory is promising, suggesting a potential cognitive advantage for simple doodling. However, more research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between attention, working memory, individual differences, and the impact of doodling on learning.