Q1- Describe the following classic cognitive study: (8A01s)
The influence of acoustic and semantic similarity on the long-term
memory of word sequences (Baddeley 1966)
This classic cognitive study conducted by Baddeley in 1966 was based on the
influence of acoustic and semantic similarity on the long-term memory or word
sequences. It was conducted as an independent group design in an artificial
environment as a controlled laboratory experiment. The aim was to investigate the
influence of acoustic and semantic word similarity on learning and recall in STM and
LTM. The IV present in this experiment was the type of similarity between words in
a list and the DV was the recall of the list sequence from the LTM. The sampling
method employed was volunteer sampling since the participants were part of the
Applied Psychology Research Unit subject panel. The partakers were each assigned
one of four lists consisting of acoustically and semantically similar words. They
were required to complete six tasks involving memory for digits. The participants
were then asked to recall words on lists in one minute by writing the sequences in
the correct order and repeating this procedure four times. They were each given a
fifteen-minute interference task; copying eight digit sequences at their own pace.
The participants were then given a surprise retest on word list sequence. The
findings concluded that the recall of semantically similar and acoustic words was
more difficult that dissimilar sounding words. Likewise, learning semantically and
acoustically similar words are more challenging than dissimilar sounding words.
However, recall of the similar and dissimilar sounding words was not statistically
significant, this demonstrates that acoustic encoding was primarily difficult, but
didn’t affect long memory recall.
Q2- Evaluate the above study in detail using GRAVE as headings.
(10A02s)
Generalizability:
The environment of this experiment produces unnatural behavior and limits the
generalization to the findings. The experimental techniques are not typical of the
way we use memory in daily context therefore the ability to generalize the findings
to everyday context is questioned. However memory researches can identify that by
removing the context mechanism in which normal memory is used we can isolate
the aspects of memory we are concerned with and simplify the nature of the to-belearned information. This suggests that this experiment can in fact be generalized to
society due to the similarity of the brain and the way it works, scientifically.
Nevertheless the target sample wasn’t large enough, although the use of both men
and women proved no sign of androcentric bias.
Reliability:
Braddeley managed to control this experiment and avoid any extraneous/ confound
variables by giving participants a list of same frequency words, these were used as a
baseline for recall comparison. Therefore, any differences between the experimental
and control lists were a result of similarity and not other factors affecting recall.
However situational variables such as noise, weather, and time of day may have
confounded the results, these variables appeared to have had no effect. The fact that
this was a controlled laboratory experiment also results in strong reliability as it can
be replicated and the reliability of the results can be established.
Validity:
The aim of this experiment was; to investigate the influence of acoustic and
semantic word similarity on learning and recall in STM and LTM; the results
achieved prove the high internal validity (the test measured exactly what it was
meant to). Baddeley operationalized the IV by giving the groups either a word list
that was acoustically similar or semantically similar or a control list. And the DV was
operationalized by measuring the accuracy of recall of the words in the correct
sequential position. The IV increased the accuracy of this experiment as it provided
a control list, which was compared to the results. Both the IV and DV were involved
in the research and affected the results obtained.
Applicability:
However this study lacks mundane realism; under normal conditions we wouldn’t
be expected to use rehearsal in such a contrived way as the resolute nature of
rehearsal was exaggerated in this memory process. However it can be argued that
we apply the results in certain situations such as revision
Ethics:
Ethics refers to the correct rules of conduct necessary when carrying out an
investigation. All ethical codes were included in this experiment to protect the
research participants from harm. Participants and the data gained from them was
kept anonymous as no names were mentioned this allowed the partakers to be
protected from both psychological and physical harm. All participants were given a
general idea of what the experiment included. This was incorporated in the
procedure outlined. Baddeley avoided deceiving the participants about the nature of
the research by offering a full debrief.
Evaluate the Study
Generalisability:
This study has high generalisability. This is because it depends on how the brain
works and how it encodes information. The experimenters also made sure that the
results apply to both genders in order to make sure that the results are more
generisable. Also the participants were around the same age as they were all
psychology students. However this experiment was criticized as it was laboratory
research and the experimental techniques did not apply to everyday tasks.
Reliability:
There is vey high reliability in this experiment as it was a laboratory experiment,
which means that it was highly controlled to eliminate as many extraneous variables
as possible. The experimenters controlled the situational variables, as it was a
laboratory experiment and the participant variables as they were of the same age.
Using participants of a psychology class maintained high motivational levels
towards the experiment.
Applicability: (external)
It has low applicability, as we would not be expected to use memory rehearsal in
such an artificial way in our day-to-day lives. However, there are occasions where
we have to learn lists; examples are when we go shopping or learning a language.
Validity: (internal)
This has high validity as Baddeley studied and measured what he had to and got the
results he needed to prove his theory. He showed the relationship and effect of the
independent variable (acoustic and semantic similarity) and the dependent variable
(long term memory).
Ethics
The results of each participant remained confidential. As it was a volunteer sample
from the psychology department they were informed of the experiment was about.
However I think there was some deception as they were given a surprise retest after
the interference task.
Schnelle