Evaluate the Extent to Which a Cognitive Process Is Reliable

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Evaluate the extent to which a cognitive process is reliable This essay will explore the extent a cognitive process is reliable in terms of memory. By focusing at different types of memory it will be possible to deduce whether or not memory is reliable. The essay will focus on ‘Schemas and eyewitness testimony’ (Loftus and Palmer, 1974), ‘Weapons effect’ Loftus et al. (1987), ‘Serial position curves with immediate and delayed free recall’ (Glanzer and Cunitz, 1966), and ‘A study of flashbulb memory’ (Brown and Kulik, 1977), meaning they will all focus on different aspects of memory; eyewitness testimony, recalling information (an experiment focusing on the MSM model), and flashbulb memory. Each of the studies will also be supported by minor studies focusing on the same hypothesis. These experiments will allow me to evaluate the extent to which memory is a reliable cognitive process. Memory is a cognitive process since it is a mental process that can be studied scientifically (by using fMRI scanners) and the mental representation guide behaviour, since we are able to reflect and consider different aspects that will affect our behaviour. Memory is one of the most advanced systems in our mind, and it is able to contain thousands of small information, which we don’t really consider at first; for example we take it for granted that we are able to add and subtract numbers, even though it was a challenge when we were children. There are many different memory models, and the most famous ones are the MSM and LOP. MSM contains three levels: sensory store, short-term store, and long-term store. What is important in this model is the duration of time, recalling and retrieving information, so it can move from one store to another. In the LOP it’s about the levels of processing where there’s three levels each at a deeper level than the previous, and the levels are:

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