Multi Store Model And Levels Of Processing Psychology Essay

Multi Store Model And Levels Of Processing Psychology Essay During this assignment the memory models that will be compared are Attkinson and Shiffrins (1970) multi- store model and Craik and Lockharts (1972) Levels of processing. We will not only be comparing the memory models but also evaluating and looking at the opposing studies. The case studies and theorists that are looked at develop very supportive and detailed views although not all studies will be necessarily correct or wrong. Through out this assignment the research and studies are based on studies from Milner (1970), Atkinson and Shiffrins Multi- store model (1970), Craik and Lockharts (1972), Craik and Tulvings (1975) and Morrison (1985). Although the studies and theories are based on research that was completed and evaluated over 40 years a go we can look and see how it has affected us through every day life. The case study, HM Milner (1970) supports the views that there is more than one store for memory. HM suffered brain damage due to surgery. After the surgery, HM was left with normal short term memory and only few memories from before the operation (which he had in order to stop seizures). HM was now unable to create new long term memories, which suggests that short term memory is separate too long term memory and is not one store. This shows that HM was unable to encode and transfer information, from short term memory to long term memory.This provides support for the multi- store model. Craik and Lockhart (1972) were not in full agreement for the multi- store model. Craik and Lockhart had a theory that the levels of processing were more complex and depended on how the information was given to how we would recall information back at later dates and times. They believed it wasnt just how many times it was repeated and rehearsed but how the information is being given as there are many levels of processing:  · Shallow/structural level visual/ how something looks  · Intermediate/ phonetic level- the sound or way something is said  · Deep/ semantic the meaning or the connection to the subject (AQA Psychology B; Nelson Thornes; page 172) The reconstructive model was to also prove our long term memory and short-term memory were not separate stores. This model also provides support for levels of processing theory (Bartlett 1932). Milners (1970) case study supports the Multi- store Model because they found that there are three overall stores (Sensory store, Long term memory and Short- term memory) which also needed the processes and stages of memory (encoding, storage and retrieval). The memory stores and processes of memory, together make Attkinson and Shiffrins (1970) multi- store model very useful and supportive. Craik and Tulvings (1975) study also supports the theory of levels of processing. They found that there are three different types of encoding (semantic, acoustic and visual) which showed us after the study took place, that semantic encoding which is a deeper thinking process, was a more useful and effective way of remembering information. As the experiment was conducted, there were three basic rules;  · Participants were shown 60 words  · One at a time  · They all had one word at each level (semantic, visual and acoustic) All of the words had to fit in to a sentence; be of upper or lower case or Asked if they rhymed. After the experiment a list was given to the participants with all 60 words, plus an additional 120. The participants were asked to recognise the original words. This experiment was to prove how rehearsal was more important that Attkinson and Shiffrins (1970) simplistic multi- store model actually was. (AQA Psychology B; Nelson Thornes; page 174). Although both of these studies oppose against each other, they both have three stages and show different ways to recall information for long term memory and short term memory in different detail. Morrison (1985) created a study, making up false football results to a handful of people, to see how participants with and without interest would remember and recall information correctly. The study found that people with interest recalled the most results correctly even though they were false. These results contradicted the multi- store model. Tyler (1979) also created a study that opposed against the levels of processing theory. The study showed us that the recall on harder words was higher than the recall on easier words (essential AS Psychology; Richard Geoff and Geoff Rolls; AS Module 1; page 9-12) Attkinson and Shiffrin (1971) Multi- store model suggests the capacity, duration and encoding are the key points to the short term memory and long term memory, where as the reconstructive model and levels of processing (Craik and Lockhart 1972) believe it is not just how deeply processed and relevant the word(s) are. The rehearsal is crucial for the transformation of information from short-term memory to long term memory, where as the reconstructive model shows us semantic (rhyming words/questions) and shallow processing (case questions/answers) arte how we store information based on short term memory and long term memory is one store, unlike levels of processing suggests. Our long term and short term and short term memory is used every day without realising it. It affects the quality and how we behave for every human and animal. Elizabeth Loftus 1974) constructed an experiment to see how reliable an eyewitness testimony actually was. A video was shown to a bunch of participants, of a car accident. After viewing the video half were asked what they saw, using the word smashed, Whilst the other half had the word hit in the sentence. They were also asked to write down the speed of the car in their opinion. More people with the word smashed in the sentence, said they saw broken glass. There was also an average speed of 41 miles per hour when smashed was used the other half estimated an average of 34 miles per hour when hearing the word hit. Ley (1978) also experimented how reliable remembrance was, by conducting a study on visiting the doctors. 10 per cent of doctors patients remembered what was said after he wrote a booklet for doctors on how to give advice. As the first result showed only patients with medical background remembered over half, where as patients without did not remember as much. (Discovering Psychology; Barbra Woods; page 120-121) All of these studies have affected the way in which questionnaires and eye witness testimonies are now conducted. There are many factors that can affect on how we remember information and our environmental situation can also affect our recall. This could also be proven to be a flashbulb memory. This is when an individual remembers an incident or memo9ry when it relates to something i.e. millennium, new year (December 1999- January 2000) you will remember certain things about that particular moment (where you were? What you wore? Who you were with?) There are many things that contradict levels of processing and the multi- store memory. There are a lot of reliable studies to prove memory models and theories but there are some things that can not actually prove how deep we process information or how much we can process over many years. Block and organisation helps us to process and retain information easier although effort is needed. Distinctiveness makes the information unique. Along with elaboration which allows us to expand information. (Essential AS Psychology; Richard Gross and Geoff Rolls; AS Module 1; Page 13) We cannot also prove why rehearsal is sometimes not needed, it is also described as a two-way flow of information i.e. Morris (1985) the multi- store model is also seen as to simplistic as it doesnt always transfer to long term memory from short term memory, even after rehearsal. In conclusion throughout this comparison of models we have compared analysed and researched different studies. All studies put forward strong and supportive evidence for each, even though most oppose against each other. The multi- store model and the levels of processing studies both have positive outcomes. They have both helped us to realise we cannot rely on eyewitness testimonies and have helped people on giving advise that is comprehensible and understandable. So to conclude, this assignment shows us how different studies can be correct but are not necessarily wrong. All of the studies need to be researched more today to be able to carry on in supporting all views as the memory models will continue to be compared. AQA Psychology B: Nelson Thornes; 1988 PSYCHOLOGY for AS LEVEL; Michael W. EYSENCK and CARA FLANAGAN 2000 ESSENTIAL AS Psychology; Richard Gross and Geoff Rolls Discovering psychology; BARBRA WOODS

Impact of Human Activities on Natural Hazards Essay

Natural hazards are naturally occurring phenomena that have disastrous impact on humanity. These phenomena had been in existence even before the advent of humanity. The hazardous dimension of these natural phenomena are in the context of the impact that such a phenomenon would have on human population in the area affected by that phenomenon. In this essay, the effect that human activity has on these natural hazards would be analyzed. Some human activities may be exacerbating the factors that cause the natural hazard, like the impact of excessive and unplanned logging on floods and droughts. In certain other cases the human activities may cause subsequent or supplementary hazards to a primary hazard event, like building dams in earthquake prone zones may lead to flash floods and landslides in the event of a rupture. A hazard can be defined as an event that has the potential to cause harm. This potential may be on account of its unexpected timing of occurrence or the actual intensity of the event itself. Human societies can withstand these events within a normal scale of occurrence. However, human societies become vulnerable when these events occur unexpectedly or are of an intensity or duration that falls beyond that normal scale (O’Hare and Rivas, 2005). Natural hazards can be broadly classified under the heads of geological, hydrological, climatic and diseases. This essay would limit its scope to analyzing causal relationships, if any, of human activities on landslides, floods and drought and the secondary hazards triggered by those activities in the event of an earthquake. Of all human activities that have a direct or indirect impact on natural hazards, deforestation is by far the most significant. Deforestation is the removal or destruction of forest cover of an area. It may occur due to unscientific logging practices without regeneration and may be accompanied by subsequent conversion to non-forest usage like agriculture, pasture, urban, mining or industrial development, fallow or wetland. At a very broad level, it has been argued that deforestation is a major cause of global climatic changes. It has been predicted that removal of forest cover will lead to violent and unpredictable environmental fluctuations. At a smaller landscape, deforestation has a direct bearing upon the climatic, hydrological, edaphic and biological aspects of that area. Deforestation is associated with higher levels of soil erosion and landslides, sedimentation in river beds and changes in fluvial geomorphology (Haigh, 1984). Quite a few of these effects of deforestation have a direct bearing on the natural hazards that will be covered in this essay. One of the major functions of a forest is to maintain the humidity level in the atmosphere. Trees withdraw groundwater through their roots and transpire the excess water through their leaves. Forests return a major part of the rainfall received by them through evapotranspiration. Annual evapotranspiration in tropical moist lowland forests ranges up to 1500 mm per year, with transpiration accounting for a maximum of 1045 mm per year (Bruijnzeel, 1990). This process of evapotranspiration in the leaves of trees takes the latent heat of evaporation from the surrounding atmosphere. Thus evapotranspiration has a cooling effect on the atmosphere that aids precipitation. Deforestation denies the atmosphere of this cooling effect and is thus a contributing factor to lowering of annual rainfall in an area. Further, the effects of deforestation generally compound the severity of drought. Lack of trees translates to the lack of root fibers that hold the topsoil. In the event of a drought, the topsoil flakes and gets blown by the wind, leading to severe dust storms. This phenomenon had devastated the American Great Plains for close to a decade in 1930s. The dust bowl covered farming areas in Colorado, Kansas, north west Oklahoma, north Texas and north east New Mexico. The fertile soil of the plains was exposed due to lack of vegetation cover and actions of the plow. These farming techniques that led to severe soil erosion, coupled with prolonged periods of extremely low rainfall, led to a series of severe dust storms that ranged up to the Atlantic coast. Much of the fertile topsoil was lost in the Atlantic (Cartensen et al. , 1999). Direct causal relationship between human activity and drought is yet to be conclusively established. However, there are studies available that point to a positive correlation between the two. For example, climate-modeling studies have indicated that the 20th century Sahel drought was caused by changing sea surface temperatures. These changes were due to a combination of natural variability and human induced atmospheric changes. The anthropogenic factors in this case were rise in greenhouse gas levels and aerosols (GFDL Climate Modeling Research Highlights, 2007). The effect of human activities like deforestation is rather more direct and pronounced in case of hydrological hazards like fluvial floods. Fluvial floods occur when the discharge of a river exceeds its bankfull capacity. Forests create deep, open textured soils that can hold large quantities of water. When the forest cover is removed through logging, the soil becomes compacted. More rainwater is converted to runoff or near surface flow and less proportion percolates as groundwater. Research has shown significant increase in monthly runoff following logging activities (Rahim and Harding, 1993). The runoff rainwater carries with it considerable amounts of loose soil particles. Removal of vegetation cover through excessive logging activities or overgrazing leaves the soil bare. In such a situation, the upper layer of the soils becomes susceptible to erosion by surface runoff. These suspended soil particles are deposited on the riverbeds. The effect of this type of soil erosion by surface runoff is even more pronounced when the deforestation happens in the riparian zones as well.

Holden’s Basketball Experience The Absolutely True Diary...

Basketball helps Arnold find out what kind of person he can be. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian book is trying to show you how one thing in someone’s life can help them to become a nicer and smarter person. The book as is about how one person, Arnold can be two people at once. Arnold is a part time Indian beacuse he is in Idian and he thinks that he is poor beacuse of it. Arnold is also a white person in his heart beacuse he feels like he connects with them when he plays basketball. Trying out for the basketball team thought Arnold how to make a good friendship. At first him and Rowdy were very mean to each other when Arnold first tired out for the basketball team. By the end of the book Rowdy and Arnold are equal in basketball and Arnold feels like he is a white person with Rowdy and doesn’t feel excluded. Becoming a stronger person Arnolds coach said â€Å"Nervous means you want to play. Scared means you dont want to play.† Arnold learns how to deal with his fears when he played basketball and it helped him in life. face his fears In chapter 20, Arnold tries out for the basketball team at his school. He tells himself that he is not going to get on varsity or junior varsity. Arnolds dad said that Arnold needs to dream big (20.15). Arnolds dad tells him about the story how his mom was 13 and he was five. On the first practice the coach told the team that sixteen of them are going to be cut because of the budget cuts. This shows you how poor the

`` Maus `` By Art Speigelman And Film, The Best Years Of...

War can be seen from different perspectives but can also be defined as a battle against an opponent. War also impacts people differently based on the events taking place. Traumas from being a victim or perpetuator can affect the individuals’ involved emotionally, mentally and physically. Hence, the conflicts can alter life drastically. When we look at the battle, we tend to disregard the effect of the perpetrator also known as the soldier who fought in the war and the victims who experienced the tragedy as bystanders, instead the focus is more on the mass destruction of bombings in communities. In the book â€Å"Maus† by Art Speigelman and film â€Å"The Best Years of Our Life† by William Wyler, the narrator takes us into a world of war where the behavioral changes in the victims is brought up as a result of the war that takes place. The novel and film display’s another point view which allows the viewers to see the true experience that individuals go thr ough instead of just physical attacks on the environment during war. During the holocaust as viewers we only observe Hitler and his attacks on the Jews. But fail to take into consideration the effect of the individuals involved. Throughout the book Maus by Art Spiegelman, the author describes situations where people were brutally killed, people were separated from their families and sent into gas chambers to be killed. Multiple people suffered but those who survived the holocaust had a harsh time fitting into the normal way of