Memories are Made of This: The Psychology of Human MemoryA memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen. In this unit, you will learn how to turn questions into a hypothesis, and you will design an experiment to TEST your hypothesis. In class, we will study memory, exploring the psychology of human memory through in-class memory experiments. Along the way, we will learn how scientists develop experiments, how to record and analyze data, how to compare two data sets, and finally, how to draw conclusions from the experiments we run. Get ready for an awesome unit that delves into the mysteries of the brain -- all while having fun along the way!
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Learning Targets
- I can…study short term memory, long-term memory, episodic memory, semantic memory, and sensory memory as a branch of psychology.
- I can…define descriptive statistics and explain how they are used by behavioral scientists.
- I can…describe the elements of an experiment and recognize how inferential statistics are used in psychology research.
- I can…explain the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics.
- I can…explain the importance of sampling and random assignment in psychology research.
- I can…calculate the measures of central tendency and variability.
- I can…recognize that specific functions are centered in specific lobes of the brain.
- I can…develop my own psychology experiment and use statistics to report the results.
- I can…artistically and creatively represent my own favorite memories from school in my own memory project.
Lesson 1: Memory, Variables, and Hypotheses
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Test YOUR memory with the following websites:
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Multiple Intelligences & Learning Styles Inventories
Want to know more about how you learn best? Have you ever heard of "Multiple Intelligences?" Try answering the questions from the websites below to learn a little more about yourself as a learner! What's Your Learning Style? -- Education Planner What is My Learning Style -- How to Study VARK Questionnaire Multiple Intelligences Self-Assessment -- Edutopia Multiple Intelligence & Learning Styles -- Psychology Today |
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Lesson Two: Designing an Experiment & Statistical Terms
There are two kinds of variables in an experiment: independent and dependent variables. Independent variables are those in an experiment that are set by the experimenter. Once set, these do not change. In a memory experiment comparing fourth graders and seventh graders, grade level is the independent variable. The dependent variable is the one that the experimenter counts or scores as a result of the task of the experiment. Each participant will have a certain score for this variable. In a short-term memory experiment, the dependent variable could be the number of letters recalled by each participant.
Examples of Independent/Dependent Variables
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Check out some simple psychology experiments here! Try to define the independent and dependent variables.
Measures of Central Tendency
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Calculate the mean, median, and mode of the following two data sets by GRADE. What conclusions can you make based on your findings? Can we say with relative certainty that the higher score is significantly higher than the other?
