Essay Answers:

1. Evidence Supporting Doodling's Impact on Working Memory:

While the cognitive approach suggests doodling enhances working memory, the evidence is mixed. Some studies show doodling improves recall of boring information (e.g., Andrade, 2009), suggesting it might free up working memory resources. However, other studies show no effect or even negative impacts. More research is needed to clarify the relationship between doodling, attention, and working memory.

2. Methodological Strengths and Limitations:

Strengths: The study likely used a controlled design, comparing doodling and non-doodling groups, which is essential for establishing causality.

Limitations: The study is prone to participant bias (e.g., doodling may be perceived as more engaging). Additionally, the complexity of the task may have influenced results; a more demanding task could reveal stronger effects. Lastly, the study design may have lacked ecological validity (e.g., real-world scenarios).

3. Doodling, Attention, and Distraction:

The study's findings suggest doodling may help filter out irrelevant information, allowing participants to focus on the task. This supports the idea that doodling reduces internal distractions, potentially by providing an outlet for mental energy. Further research could investigate how doodling affects different types of attention (e.g., sustained vs. selective).

4. Ethical Implications of Control Groups:

Using a control group in this context raises concerns about withholding a potentially beneficial intervention. Researchers must carefully consider the ethical implications and weigh the potential benefits of the intervention against the risks of not providing it to the control group.

5. Alternative Methods for Investigating Doodling:

⭐Neuroimaging techniques (fMRI) could reveal brain regions involved in doodling and working memory.
⭐Utilizing a diverse range of doodling styles (e.g., abstract vs. meaningful) could explore the impact of different doodling types on cognitive performance.
⭐Conducting studies in real-world settings (e.g., classrooms, workplaces) would enhance ecological validity.
⭐Measuring individual differences in attention and distractibility could provide valuable insights into how doodling affects performance.

These alternative methods could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between doodling, attention, and cognitive performance.