Psychological - Research Paper Example

The given research experiment is conducted to study the hypothesis that 'an external stimulus can decrease an individual's memory performance'. The experiment assumes importance in that the various dimensions of memory performance under external stimulus or rather distraction mode ,can be studied. The hypothesis looks simple and direct. But experiments have to be conducted to prove or disprove even simple postulates so that a scientific conclusion is arrived at. The research has been conducted by way of a memory test on two groups of subjects , one the control group and the other the experimental group for whom external stimulus was introduced in order to study the impact on memory performance. The results show a difference in performance between the two groups. The results have to be analysed and interpreted. in the context of the hypothesis. Before analyzing the experiment, it is essential that various aspects of memory are studied. Memory can be analysed into three aspects or processes namely fixation, retention and reproduction or recall . Clifford T.Morgan in his Introduction To Psychology 2004 mentions of three distinct processes of memory namely an encoding process, a storage process and a retrieval process. During the first stage, the sensory input is received and transformed into a form or code which is then registered. For this, one has to pay attention .Merely scanning cannot retain much.. Factors which interfere with attention , interferes with remembering. Studies have proved that distraction at this .stage decreases memory. A classic example is a case of riots or an accident. People are not able to recollect much owing to the emotion or distress experienced by them. The next stage, namely retention, is influenced to some extent by intelligence, motivation and interests. Failure to recall is also due to poor initial learning . Finally, recall is selective and constructive. Not all that was experienced is reported. Various factors influence recall , the emotional state, the need of the moment and so on. Memory is classified into immediate memory,short term memory and long term memory. Immediate memory is what we recall something a second after having perceived it. The retention time is very brief. An example is visual sensory register. In short term memory , information can be registered for 30 seconds or more . This is volatile and users will often forget in the presence of distraction. Here again retention depends on various factors. Various studies have shown that the memory is limited to 7 (plus or minus 2) items of information. The long term memory is limitless and helps us in recalling many things on a permanent basis. The subject experiment is one of short term memory and free recall that is the subjects can recall in their own way. The experiment has been aimed at studying the memory performance of subjects under external stimulus. It makes common sense to postulate that distraction can adversely affect memory. In order to make a scientific study various experiments have to be conducted The method involved in the memory test was by placing 12 easily recognizable objects and both the groups were given one minute to view them . The experimental group was introduced loud rock music next to them. Both the groups were asked to recall as many .items as possible. It is to be noted that the items were easily recognizable ones and so memorising them should not be difficult. The stimulus introduced was loud rock music which can be safely assumed to be distractive . The results of the study shows the following. Group one could recall on an average 8.6 items and group two 5.8 items. So the average percentage scored by the control group is 71% and the experimental group 48%. The highest and lowest number of itmes recalled by group one is 9 and 7 and it was 7 and 4 by group two. It is to be noted that even a single subject in either group could not recall all the items.. It is also to be considered that there were no subject in either group who could not recall even a single item. The raw data of the results has to be studied critically. Lee J. Cronbach in Essentials Of Psychological Testing puts in " A raw score on a psychological test , taken by itself has no significance. It can be interpreted only by comparing it to some standard". It is true that psychological test scores can not be interpreted as we do physical measures.. This is not like measuring a person's height or weight or comparing one's weight with another. In such physical measurements, comparison is fairly easy. Such raw scores do not ordinarily represent true differences between persons. The best way is to compare to any accepted standard of performance or compared to a reference group by a set of norms. The other aspects of the experiment has also to be taken care of. In the present experiment we should consider the variants of the subjects. For example, whether the age of the subjects are equal , their physical condition at the time of experiment and so on. Various studies have shown that a number of factors contribute to memory and recall. The subject experiment is one of the simplest . The items to be memorized were fairly easy ones. Still it is interesting to note that even the control group could not memorise all the twelve objects. This could be contributed to the possibility that meaningfulness of the objects contribute to better memory. Another factor could be that the objects were not interrelated to one another. If for example, there were a set of all office equipments, remembering would be easier. In the absence of the list of items presented, it would not be possible to study exactly, why even the control group could not memorise all the items. The results definitely show a decrease in memory performance by the experimental group as compared to the control group. The introduction of loud rock music can safely be taken to be a distraction sufficient enough to affect memory to some extent and not in total. It can be safely deducted that the external stimulus has affected the performance. . Howard Stephen Berg Marcus A. Conyers in In Speed-Reading the Easy Way states that music played soft while studying ,improves concentration while the opposite effect occurs when playing loud rock music . The beat of the music disrupts memory and concentration. Wayne Weitem in Psychology: Themes And variations writes on tests on effect of loud music on typing performance where he stresses on ensuring that the participants in both groups are alike on any external variables involving their personal characteristics such as motivation and skill particularly while studying impact of two variables. In the subject experiment, assuming that the variants were alike, it can safely be concluded that the external stimulus has had a decreasing effect on memory performance. Caution must be taken to see that the result of the experiment is not taken as such for further studies.. Jeremy J.Foster, Ian Parker in Carrying out Investigations in Psychology: Methods and Statistics states that people do not always get exactly the same scores . It is suggested that people are tested a number of times . This results of the experiment gives more scope for further study on the hypothesis that external stimulus can decrease memory performance. References 1.Introduction To Psychology, 2004, Clifford T Morgan Clifford T.Morgan 2.Essentials Of Psychological Testing, Lee J. Cronbach 3, Speed-Reading the Easy Way Howard Stephen Berg Marcus A. Conyers 4. Psychology: Themes And variations, Wayne Weitem in 5. Carrying out Investigations in Psychology: Methods and Statistics .. Jeremy J.Foster, Ian Parker The long term memory is usually limitless. This helps us to recall a number of things on a permanently basis. The subject experiment is one of short term memory. Various studies have shown that the memory is limited to 7 (plus or minus 2) items of information. Read More