Laney et al. (2008): False Memory
Cognitive Approach
Psychology Notes
A Level/AS Level/O Level
Cognitive Approach
The Cognitive Approach: How Our Minds Shape Our World
The Cognitive Approach in psychology is all about understanding how we think, process information, and learn. It's like studying the software of our brains!
1. The Building Blocks of Our Thinking:
-Schemas: These are like mental blueprints, guiding how we understand and organize information from the world. For example, your "restaurant" schema might include a waiter, a menu, food, and a bill. Schemas can be helpful, but they can also lead to stereotypes if we rely on them too much.
-Cognitive Processes: These are the mental activities we perform, like attention, perception, memory, and language. Imagine a computer processing data – that's what our cognitive processes do.
-Internal Representations: These are the mental pictures and models we create to represent the world. Think about remembering a happy memory – you might be picturing it in your mind, which is an internal representation.
2. The Power of Memory:
-Encoding: This is the process of turning sensory information into a form our brain can store. It's like taking a picture and saving it to your computer.
-Storage: This is the process of holding onto information over time. It's like keeping your saved photos on your computer.
-Retrieval: This is the process of accessing stored information. It's like opening your saved photo to look at it.
3. False Memories: When Our Minds Play Tricks on Us:
-False memories are memories that seem real but are actually inaccurate or entirely made up. They can be vivid and emotionally charged, making it hard to distinguish them from real memories.
-Laney et al. (2008) Study: This study demonstrated the power of suggestion in creating false memories. Participants were given a list of childhood events, some real and some fake. Researchers then used leading questions and imagery to suggest the fake events actually happened. Many participants later reported believing the fake events were true.
-Real-world implications: False memories can have serious consequences. Think about eyewitness testimony in court cases – even well-intentioned witnesses can be influenced by suggestions and create false memories that could lead to wrongful convictions.
4. Applications of the Cognitive Approach:
-Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is based on the idea that changing our thoughts and behaviors can improve our mental health.
-Education: Educators use cognitive principles to design effective learning materials and teaching methods.
-Technology: The development of computers and artificial intelligence draws heavily from our understanding of human cognition.
5. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Cognitive Approach:
-Strengths: The cognitive approach is highly scientific and uses rigorous research methods. It has led to practical applications in various fields.
-Weaknesses: It can be difficult to study mental processes directly, and critics argue that the approach sometimes oversimplifies the complexity of human behavior.
Key Takeaways:
- Our thoughts and cognitive processes shape how we perceive the world.
- Even our memories aren't always accurate.
- Understanding the cognitive approach can help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.
Bonus Notes
Essay Answers:
1. Cognitive Approach and False Memory
Strengths:
⭐Explains how memories are constructed: The Cognitive Approach emphasizes the active role of memory processes, including encoding, storage, and retrieval in shaping our memories. This provides a framework for understanding how false memories can be created through misinterpretation, confabulation, and the influence of schemas.
⭐Empirical support: Numerous studies, including Loftus's (1975) work on misinformation effect, demonstrate the impact of external information on memory recall, supporting the Cognitive Approach's explanation for false memory formation.
Limitations:
⭐Overemphasis on cognitive processes: The Cognitive Approach may neglect the role of emotions, motivation, and social influence in shaping memory.
⭐Difficulty in isolating specific cognitive processes: It can be challenging to isolate and measure specific cognitive processes involved in false memory formation, making it difficult to definitively prove their role.
2. Laney et al. (2008): False Memory and Prior Knowledge
Laney et al. (2008) found that participants were more likely to develop false memories for events that were consistent with their existing schemas and prior knowledge. Participants who were told they had loved asparagus as children were more likely to report liking asparagus in the present than those who were not given this false information. This suggests that prior knowledge and schemas act as frameworks that influence the construction and acceptance of false memories.
3. Cognitive Approach and Laney et al. (2008)
Laney et al.'s findings align well with the Cognitive Approach by demonstrating the role of schema in memory formation. The study illustrates how existing knowledge structures can be activated during memory retrieval, leading to the acceptance of false information that aligns with those schemas. This highlights the active and constructive nature of memory processes, supporting the Cognitive Approach's perspective.
4. False Memory in Real-World Contexts
False memories can have significant implications in real-world scenarios:
⭐Eyewitness Testimony: False memories can lead to misidentification of suspects and wrongful convictions, highlighting the need for careful questioning techniques and forensic evidence.
⭐Legal Proceedings: False memories can influence legal proceedings, impacting witness credibility and the outcome of trials.
⭐Therapy: False memories can be implanted during therapy, leading to retraumatization and unnecessary interventions.
5. Cognitive Distortions and False Memory
Cognitive distortions can contribute to the formation and persistence of false memories:
⭐Confirmatory bias: This bias leads to seeking and interpreting information in a way that confirms pre-existing beliefs, even if those beliefs are false.
⭐Selective attention: Focusing on certain aspects of an event while neglecting others can lead to an incomplete memory, which can be filled in with false information later.
⭐Source monitoring errors: Our memories don't always include accurate information about the source of the memory, leading to confusion about who or what provided the information.
These cognitive distortions can enhance the likelihood of accepting false information as true, contributing to the development and persistence of false memories.