Have You Been Drinking…or Just Thinking? A Look into the Effects of Drinking on Memory.

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                Memory Loss…      

Running Head: MEMORY LOSS FROM DRINKING

Have You Been Drinking…or Just Thinking?

A Look into the Effects of Drinking on Memory

Simon Fraser University

Have You Been Drinking…or Just Thinking?

A Look into the Effects of Drinking on Memory

        Alcohol consumption is an evident epidemic among today’s vast society, and overwhelming evidence from past research supports the idea that alcohol intoxication has observable effects on memory (Kirchner & Sayette, 2003; Parker, Birnbaum, & Noble, 1976; Tracy & Bates, 1999). There is a common aspect about memory which is discussed within these experiments.  Mainly, all three experimental procedures directly identify two important affected phases of memory, “learning” and “recalling”.  

        Research by both Kirchner & Sayette (2003) and Tracy & Bates (1999) respectively studied the combination of effects on “Controlled and Automatic” memory and “Automatic and Effortful” memory, by alcohol.  Although the two different experiments used different words to describe the aspects of memory they were studying, it turns out that they were both regarding the same thing.  The “controlled” phase from Kirchner & Sayette (2003), along with the “effortful” phase from Tracy & Bates (1999) both refer to the “learning” phase of memory.  By the “learning” phase they refer to the slower more effortful processes which are subject to conscious awareness (Kirchner & Sayette, 2003; Tracy & Bates, 1999) for example the practice or studying (learning) of examinable material.  The “automatic” phase parallel in both experiments refers oppositely to the effortless, unintentional uncontrolled processes which occur without awareness.  “Learning” processes become automatic with practice and experience.  

        Both experiments used doses of alcohol as the independent variable which involved manipulation in the amount administered.  These research designs accounted for the affects for both the automatic processes and the effortful memory processes.  This research came to the conclusion that both of these processes of memory are affected by intoxication; however the effortful “learning” phase is more affected than the automatic phase.

        Research by Parker, Birnbaum & Noble (1976) also identified the same phases of the dependent variable of memory previously discussed.  This research however unlike that of Kirchner & Sayette, 2003 and Tracy & Bates, 1999 focussed its attention on alcohol’s effects on the “storage” phase of memory.  Parker, Birnbaum & Noble the term ‘storage’ to represent the “learning” phase of memory. As described earlier, although the different researchers use different vocabulary to describe their variables, they are discussing the same factor.  Alcohol dosage was the independent variable within this experiment and included high level, low level, and placebo, conditions. After carrying out their experimental procedure they proved their hypothesis to be correct in that there would be negative effects on efficiency in mastering material while under the influence of alcohol.

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        Not only does this past research lay out the basic format of my research but it also provides critical insight to my present research.  The previous research discusses and attempts to identify relationships between the same principle correlations covered within my research (i.e. affect of alcohol on memory). My present experiment like Parker, Birnbaum & Noble is focussed on the “learning” phase of memory.  However, the new design contains the addition of a psychological aspect which may play a roll in the effects on memory.

Experimental Design

        My particular experimental research will not only try to provide further evidence and ...

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