Cognitive Psychology Experiments to Know for Intro to Cognitive Science

Cognitive psychology experiments reveal how our minds work through various tasks and behaviors. These studies, from the Stroop Effect to Bandura's Bobo Doll, help us understand memory, learning, and the impact of authority on our actions.

1. Stroop Effect Experiment

   • Demonstrates the interference of automatic processes in cognitive tasks.
   • Participants struggle to name the color of the ink when the word itself is a different color (e.g., the word "red" printed in blue ink).
   • Highlights the conflict between reading (an automatic process) and color identification (a controlled process).
   • Provides insight into attention, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility.

2. Stanford Prison Experiment

   • Explores the psychological effects of perceived power and authority in a simulated prison environment.
   • Participants were assigned roles as guards or prisoners, leading to extreme behaviors and ethical concerns.
   • Reveals how situational factors can influence behavior and identity.
   • Raises important questions about ethics in psychological research and the nature of human behavior.

3. Milgram Obedience Experiment

   • Investigates the extent to which individuals will obey authority figures, even when asked to perform harmful actions.
   • Participants believed they were administering electric shocks to others, demonstrating high levels of obedience despite moral conflict.
   • Highlights the conflict between personal conscience and authority pressure.
   • Provides insights into social influence, conformity, and ethical considerations in research.

4. Loftus and Palmer's Car Crash Experiment

   • Examines the malleability of human memory and how language can influence recollection.
   • Participants watched a video of a car crash and were asked leading questions that affected their memory of the event.
   • Demonstrates the concept of "misinformation effect," where post-event information alters original memories.
   • Important for understanding eyewitness testimony and the reliability of memory.

5. Sperling's Iconic Memory Experiment

   • Investigates the capacity and duration of iconic memory, a type of sensory memory for visual stimuli.
   • Participants were shown a grid of letters for a brief moment and asked to recall them, revealing a high capacity but short duration of memory.
   • Introduces the concept of "partial report" to measure memory retention.
   • Contributes to understanding sensory processing and memory systems.

6. Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve Experiment

   • Explores the rate at which information is forgotten over time, demonstrating a rapid decline in memory retention.
   • Used nonsense syllables to study memory retention and the effects of rehearsal.
   • Introduces the concept of "spacing effect," where distributed practice leads to better retention.
   • Important for understanding memory decay and learning strategies.

7. Baddeley's Working Memory Model Experiments

   • Proposes a multi-component model of working memory, including the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and central executive.
   • Experiments demonstrate how different types of information are processed and stored in working memory.
   • Highlights the importance of working memory in cognitive tasks such as problem-solving and comprehension.
   • Influential in understanding cognitive load and memory performance.

8. Pavlov's Classical Conditioning Experiments

   • Demonstrates the process of learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a reflexive response.
   • Pavlov's dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell, which was paired with food.
   • Highlights the principles of stimulus generalization and discrimination.
   • Fundamental to understanding behaviorism and the mechanisms of learning.

9. Skinner's Operant Conditioning Experiments

   • Investigates how behavior is shaped by reinforcement and punishment.
   • Skinner used a "Skinner box" to study how animals learn to perform tasks for rewards.
   • Introduces concepts such as positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and schedules of reinforcement.
   • Important for understanding behavior modification and learning theories.

10. Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment

    • Explores the concept of observational learning, where behavior is learned through watching others.
    • Children observed adults interacting aggressively with a Bobo doll and later imitated that behavior.
    • Highlights the role of modeling and social learning in behavior development.
    • Significant for understanding the influence of media and environment on behavior.