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To what extent do positive or negative emotions(IV) impact memory recall…
To what extent do positive or negative emotions(IV) impact memory recall (DV)?
Types of Investigation Design
Experimental
Advantages
This allows for quantitative analytical results that exclude personal bias. Furthermore, this design type enables the researcher to manipulate the independent variable and determine the relationship
Disadvantages
Manipulating emotions may not be ethically viable as it could have an adverse effect on the participant. Additionally, using an experimental design results in artificiality as the setting is usually extremely controlled.
Observative
Disadvantages
Using this experimental type results in a lack of control over variables as this is performed in a natural setting.
Advantages
This design type allows for a natural setting without manipulating any variables. This provides high validity to the experiment.
Qualitative
Advantages
The qualitative design type prompts participants with open-ended questions allowing them to elaborate on their experiences and provide a more in-depth answer. Furthermore, this design type allows for more flexibility.
Disadvantages
A disadvantage of this investigation design is there may be some subjectivity and bias. This is possible as researchers must interpret and analyze findings in their own ways allowing for personal bias.
Variables
Independent
Emotion
Positive - Happiness
Negative - Anger
Advantage
The advantage of using emotion as an independent variable is that its manipulation will clearly demonstrate the effect of emotion memory recall. Furthermore, understanding the effect of emotions on memory recall can lead to more practical applications allowing for strategies to improve memory retention.
Disadvantage
Manipulating one's emotions may be unethical as it could cause distress to the participant. Additionally, it may also be quite difficult to manipulate someone's emotions with their informed consent.
Dependent
Number of words recalled (Objective Quantitative)
Advantage
By using the number of words recalled we are being provided a quantitative measure. This removes personal bias and allows for a more straightforward result. Additionally, this variable can be standardized across participants.
Disadvantage
This variable may be a limited measure as it does not account for other areas of memory such as spatial or associative memory. Furthermore, Participants may employ other strategies to recall words. This would no longer isolate the independent variable.
Controlled
Age
- Age would be a controlled variable as one's age can also affect their memory. Keeping this uncontrolled could affect the integrity of the experiment.
Memory recall task
- The task to test one's ability to recall their memories would also be kept controlled. This would be done by making everyone recall the same words
Stimulus materials
- The materials used to manipulate the participant's emotions should be kept consistent. If not, then differing emotions could occur.
Sample
40 Stage 1 Psychology Students
Ages 15 - 17
Genders Varying
Strengths
This sample is homogeneous with all the participants being students in psychology. Furthermore, The students' collective interest in psychology could prompt them to be eager participants.
Limitations
Since it is a relatively small sample size you may not be able to generalize the results. Additionally, this sample has limited diversity.
Extraneous Variables
Participant Variables
The current emotional state of the participant can also effect how the emotional stimuli works on them. Additionally, the personal traits of the participant may make them more or less susceptible to their own emotions also affecting the experiment. These variables can impact the data by introducing extra variables and in some cases decreasing the validity.
Situational Variables
Environmental factors such as noise levels and distractions may affect results as participants could be affected. The presence of friends or other influential figures may also affect the behaviour of the participant.
Ethics
Informed consent
Confidentiality and anonymity