Investigation into the effects of levels of processing.

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AQA                                        PSYCHOLOGY

PROJECT BRIEF

PROPOSAL FORM

Candidate Name: Noreen Mahmud        

                                

Centre Name: Allerton High School

Centre Number: 37631

Title of work: Levels of Processing

PB1: Identify the aim of the research and state the experimental/alternative hypothesis/es.

(credited in the report mark scheme)

To show how different levels of processing affects the memory.

“People who process information deeply (i.e. semantic processing) tend to remember more than those who process information shallowly (i.e. visual processing).”

PB2: Explain why a directional or non-directional experimental/alternative hypothesis/es has been selected.                                                                (I mark)

I have used a directional experimental hypothesis because past research, such as that by Craik and Tulving (1975) has proved this.

PB3: Identify the chosen research method (experimental, survey, observation or correlational research) and if appropriate, the design used.                        (1 mark)

I am using a lab experiment as my research method. I am using an independent groups design.

PB4: Identify the advantages(s) and disadvantage(s) of the chosen research method.

                                                                                (2 marks)

The activity is artificial. However, the findings can be used to help improve the memory. The study is well controlled, so it is unlikely that there are any other factors affecting the findings. However, some participants may guess the aim, and may either try to help the experimenter or hinder. As I am using an independent groups design, there will be no problem with order effects, but individual differences may have an effect on the results.

PB5: Identify potential sources of bias in the investigation and any possible confounding variables.                                                                        (2 marks)

Individual differences may affect the findings. For example, the individual may not understand a particular word, and therefore will not be able to semantically process it.

Also, demand characteristics may affect the findings. Participants may deliberately change their behaviour – social desirability bias.

PB6: Explain what procedures will be adopted to deal with these.                (2 marks)

Make sure the participants can all understand the required language.

Ensure that participants don’t change their behaviour by telling them the aim of the experiment.

Give all participants the same instructions, so that some will not have more details into the investigation than others.

PB7: Select an appropriate level of statistical significance to be reached before the experimental/alternative hypothesis will be retained.                                (1 mark)

P=0.05

PB8: Identify any relevant ethical issues and discuss the steps to be taken to deal with these.                                                                                (3 marks)

Participants will not be able to give informed consent, as they do not know the full details of the experiment. In this sense they are also being deceived.

To deal with this, I will give a full debrief to the participants. I will also maintain their confidentiality by them filling questionnaires anonymously. Participants will also be given the right to withdraw from the experiment.

Total mark =    ________

12 marks

Candidates are reminded that in order to fulfil the requirements of the specification they must collect, pool and analyse their data individually or in groups of 4 or fewer.

They are also reminded that the study described in the Project Brief must be the one submitted for the coursework report.


Abstract

The aim of the investigation was to show how different levels of processing have an effect on the recollection of information. The hypothesis was that more deeply processed words are recalled in comparison to shallowly processed.

An opportunity sample of 12 participants, aged 16-17, was asked to complete a questionnaire, with questions instigating shallow processing and questions instigating deep processing. Participants were then asked to write down as many of the words as they can remember.

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It was found that all of the participants remembered more deeply processed words that shallowly processed words. This was a significant result as shown by the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Test.

This lead to the conclusion that deeply processed words are better recalled than shallowly processed words.


Introduction

Research into the structure of the memory, and how information is passed from short term (STM) to long-term memory (LTM), includes that suggested by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968). They stated that there were three memory stores, the sensory, STM and LTM stores. This was called the Multi-store Model. ...

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