Discuss+how+and+why+particular+research+methods+are+used+by+cognitive+researchers

= __ Discuss how and why particular research methods are used by cognitive researchers __ =

- does not always resemble what people do in their daily lives || - in the laboratory - controlled variables || - controlled experiment - cause and effect relationship - variables can be easily controlled ||
 * ~ __ Experimental methods __ ||~ **How?** ||~ **Why?** ||
 * [[image:http://www.ijdesign.org/ojs/public/journals/1/564/Figure3.jpg width="330" height="240"]] || [[image:http://www.ati.surrey.ac.uk/UserFiles/Image/2691-016aLabcompressed.jpg height="196"]] || [[image:http://hlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Cause-Effect.jpg width="320" height="240"]] ||
 * - was assumed to be the most scientific method

- should not be generalized (ex. a brain damaged person with an extraordinary memory) || - observation - questionnaires - interviews - diaries || - participants can be observed - study can go on for a long period of time - in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event ||
 * ~ **__ Case Studies __** ||~ **How?** ||~ **Why?** ||
 * [[image:http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zl3ewJYv63g/TA49IR30bvI/AAAAAAAAA0s/4MDWVmRwVJI/s1600/case-studies-interview-tips.jpg width="362" height="384"]] || [[image:http://slappylafunky.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/job-interview.jpg width="320" height="233"]] || [[image:http://blog.aaltra.eu/data/images/BlogImages/090704/ora-ilegale-clock.jpg width="340" height="234"]] ||
 * - correlational relationship

 __**Manipulating Memory (link to wiki)**__ ** By Elizabeth Loftus ** - **Aim**: to prove that “a false memory had been created by the post-event information.” - **Procedure**: (2002) a. The police as ked people to come forward with information about Washington sniper, who killed a number of people. b. Many reported having seen a white van in the vicinity of the shootings. (In fact, the sniper’s van was dark green.) - **Findings**: Where the myth of the white van came from? a. A bystander had mentioned a white van in an interview. b. After this, other people reported that they had seen a white van.

 __**Photographic Theory (1977) (link to wiki)**__  **Aim**: to investigate how sociocultural factors affect emotion and cognitive processes.  **Process**: Brown and Kulik asked 40 white and black Americans to fill out a simple questionnaire asking for their memories about the death or failed assassinations of nine historical figures, including JFK and MLK, and the shocking death of a personal acquaintance. Also, data on consequentiality and rehearsal was collected  **Finding**: Scores for Martin Luther King's assassination were higher than the shocking death of a personal acquaintance, among Black Americans.  -> Brown and Kulik concluded than MLK had great survival significance for black Americans.
 * By Roger Brown and James Kulik **

- to determine relationship between activity in certain brainareas and specific mental functions ||
 * ~ Neuroimaging (Brain-imaging Techniques ) ||~ **How?** ||~ **Why?** ||~  ||
 * [[image:http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2008/01/080103161531-large.jpg width="215" height="317"]] || [[image:http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/magnetacademy/mri/images/mri-scanner.jpg]] || [[image:http://www.rdsyndrome.com/images/fMRI_scan_neuroimaging_studies_synaptose_synaptamine_placebo_brain_dysfunction_addicts.jpg width="534" height="308"]] ||
 * - ( CAT, EEG, MRI Scans) || - modern technology || - biological aspect

__**Meditation to Change Brain Structure (link to wiki)**____**By Sara Lazar**__

- Experimental -Mediators - Control - Non-mediators MR Images of the brain structure in 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
 * Aim**: to prove that Meditation changes the Brain Structure
 * Procedure**: (2011)
 * Findings**: Mediators = Increased grey-matter density in the hippocampus (important for learning/memory)