Memory- bio/cog

localisation

100

Define localisation

The idea that thoughts/emotions/behaviours emerge from a specific, fixed place in the brain.

200

Why is a case study useful for looking at localisation? Give 1 reason

Possible reasons

-look for a dissociation between function and brain area- what can/can't they still do? 

- allows for an ethical way to study the effects of damage in humans

300

What does double dissociation mean?

Double Dissociation is when two related mental processes are shown to function independently of each other. This is usually done by looking at multiple different case studies of patients with different brain areas damaged

e.g. STM and LTM memory

neuroplasticity

100

Define neuroplasticity 

The ability of the brain to grow and change in response to the environment due to neural branching and pruning. 

200

Name the 3 studies we looked at for neuroplasticity

Maguire- taxi drivers hippocampus size

Kandel- slugs and in-vitro cell culture of a neural network

Greenstein- IQ & kids cortex

300

What did Greenstein's study show about neural growth/pruning and IQ?

The cortex in the superior (most) intelligence kids got thicker quicker and for longer but then also experienced vigorous pruning, ending up actually smaller than the high intelligence group

Ethics and RM

100

Define 'ethical considerations'

Rules/guidelines set out by Psychological governing bodies such as the APA/BPS to ensure that Psychology is practiced and researched in a morally correct way.   Things that researchers need to think about as a psychologist.

(only give the points if they cover the idea of rules/guidelines and morals)

200

Name all 5 research methods we study in Psychology

Experiment

Case study

Observation

Interview

Correlation

300

What are the core beliefs/assumptions that researchers in different approaches hold, that would influence the kind of research method that they would be drawn to? 

Name one.

Biological approach:

_{- Scientifically based-> lab experiment as these follow the rules of scientific research (e.g. high levels of control, testable/falsifiable hypothesis, objective not subjective...)}

_{- that there is a physiological basis to all behaviour, thoughts and emotions -> e.g. case studies of brain-damaged patients to look for correlates between damage and resultant altered behaviour/thoughts/emotions}

Cognitive approach:

_{- we can study the mind scientifically (even though it's somewhat abstract) -> lab experiments as these follow the rules of scientific research (e.g. high levels of control, testable/falsifiable hypothesis, objective not subjective...)}

Brain imaging

100

What brain imaging techniques did we study?  Name 3.

MRI, fMRI and EEG

200

Which machine measures functioning in the brain by looking at oxygen consumption?

fMRI

300

Name an imaging technique that you could use to study localisation and explain how. 

MRI - by studying brain damaging patients and correlating cognitive deficits/ emotional or behavioural differences to the damage seen.

fMRI - by looking at the activity of the brain in response to participants performing certain functions.

EEG - by triangulating electrical signals whilst doing a task to an approximate location in the brain (like satellites locating a phone signal)

Schema theory

100

Define a 'Schema'

It is a framework of knowledge; it describes the interconnected way that information is thought to be organised in the mind. 

200

Who is credited with creating schema theory in Psychology

Barlett/ Piaget

300

Name at least 2 of the memory distortions found in Bartlett's study

• Assimilation- changed to fit participants own cultural understanding 

• “Levelling”- story shortened/simplified.  Omission of details that don’t fit with existing schemas.

• “Sharpening”- process of rationalisation- growing coherence (changing the order to make it make more sense)