Other alternatives to laboratory experiments are field experiment and the comparative method. Assuming it is possible to create a controlled environment for sociological experiments; there are still many practical issues with experimental methods; firstly there is no possible way for experiments to research past social trends which reduces the range of information available to a sociologist. Secondly, if a laboratory environment has been created for sociology, this could only be used to study limited sample and therefore would not create very reliable data. Finally it is argued that the artificial environment of and experiment would provoke the ‘Hawthorne Effect (Elton Mayo) ‘because if people know they are being studied, they will behave differently e.g. by trying to second guess what the researcher wants them to do and acting accordingly, which would not give very valid data.
Weakness - the factors given by researchers, such as the ones stated, are only assumptions with no scientific evidence. Weakness - the research over exaggerates how bad memory is. This could be due to the fact that it is being studied in lab conditions and only the short term effects of memory and eye witness testimony are being taken into
The nature and structure of memory is often referred to two types of memory, Long term memory (LTM) and Short term memory (STM). Long term memory (LTM) is incoming information with the sense that is stored within our memory, and that we can recall when needed. It’s considered to be unlimited, however forgetting long term memory may occur as a result to decay, interference or retrieval failure. There is also more than one type of long term memory; semantic, episodic and procedural memory. Short term memory (STM) is considered as incoming information from the sense which we attend to for only a short period of time.
Running head: THE MEMORY PROCESS The Memory Process Patanisha Andrews Psych/550 May 2, 2011 Gaston Weisz The Memory Process The basic memory process is encoding information into memory. Memory is the ability to encode, store and recall information. The three main processes of memory involve encoding, storage and recall. The three types of codes are acoustic (sounds), visual (images or pictures) and semantic (meaningful). Memory is stored and retained overtime then the information is retrieved from the memory when needed.
One reason a valid experiment may produce null results is a. the range of levels in the independent variable was insufficient to show an effect. b. the dependent variable reflects a broad range of performance. c. that the experiment is conducted in an environment that is too difficult. d. that reactivity occurs in the participants (e.g., they adopt the role of “good behavior”). 7.
Loftus reveals several examples where people have been through incidents where their memory has failed to tell the truth. The experiment show how awful the results can be if the individual exposes inaccurate information. Loftus also demonstrates how memory is prone to error and that individuals can occasionally make errors in what they remember. One reason error occurs is that individual are having problems retrieving and storing information correctly. This mainly occurs because people do not pay close enough attention to the details around them.
4. Measurement uncertainties are given in this experiment. Are they reasonable? Explain. The measurement uncertainties given in this experiment are not reasonable considering the quality of equipments used throughout the experiment.
Researchers focus on using two types of false memories, benine events and traumatic event memories. A false memory can be as simple as remembering a word that has not been presented. Or as serious a remembering an event which has never occurred. There are many false memories explored in the laboratory, using vey different techniques to implant or induce them. The Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm produces formations of false memory for words, for example participants are asked to study lists of words, often reporting seeing words that never appeared in the original list.
Weaknesses of Causal Comparative Two weaknesses in causal-comparative research are lack of randomization and inability to manipulate an independent variable. A major threat to the internal validity of a causal-comparative study is the possibility of a subject selection bias. The chief procedures that a researcher can use to reduce this threat include matching subjects on a related variable or creating homogeneous subgroups, and the technique of statistical matching. Other threats to internal validity in causal-comparative studies include location, instrumentation, and loss of subjects. In addition, type 3 studies are subject to implementation, history, maturation, attitude of subjects, regression, and testing threats.
The individuals who were involved in the Poehlman case was the University of Vermont, the junior member of Poehlman’s laboratory, and the applicant’s whose data he changed. The Universities, the individuals, and society are now mistrusting in scientific research because cases such as Poehlman. The applicants and society are not aware of the intentions that the individual has with their information, especially if it is for his or her own satisfaction. The universities would like to believe that the applicants’ information is being used correctly and for the intended purposes rather than allow pressure to seep in. They are having difficulty in receiving research grants because agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, are setting strict guidelines to follow.