cognitive approach

Question 1

Describe the aim and methodology of Andrade’s Doodling Experiment.

Answer 1

to investigate the impact of doodling on cognitive processes, attention, and retention of information during a monotonous task.

Question 2

Explain the key findings of Andrade’s experiment and their implications for understanding attention and memory.

Answer 2

doodling improved attention, reduced daydreaming, and enhanced memory retention during a tedious task.
-suggest that engaging in a secondary, repetitive task like doodling can help individuals maintain focus, mitigate mind-wandering, and improve information retention when faced with boring or monotonous activities.

Question 3

Discuss the potential limitations of Andrade’s Doodling Experiment and how they may affect the generalizability of the results.

Answer 3

-limitation = Andrade’s experiment used a highly controlled laboratory setting,
(may not fully capture real-world situations).
- the sample size was relatively small
(can limit the generalizability of the findings).
- individual differences in doodling habits and preferences were not extensively considered, which could impact the results’ applicability to all individuals.
( different personality types require stimulation before learning new info)

Question 4

Examine the implications of Andrade’s research findings in the context of everyday situations, such as studying or working. How might these findings be practically applied?

Answer 4

Students, for example, might consider doodling while studying to help maintain focus. In work settings, individuals faced with tedious tasks could use doodling as a way to mitigate the effects of boredom and improve productivity.

Question 5

Discuss the potential psychological mechanisms behind why doodling appears to improve attention and memory. How might this relate to cognitive psychology concepts?

Answer 5

Doodling may improve attention and memory by reducing cognitive overload.
-When engaged in a monotonous task, doodling can serve as a form of “mindless” or automatic processing, freeing up cognitive resources for maintaining focus on the primary task.
-This relates to cognitive psychology concepts like dual processing and cognitive load theory.

Question 6

In Andrade’s study, participants were asked to listen to a boring telephone message. Why is it important to use a monotonous or dull task in such experiments, and how might this choice affect the results?

Answer 6

it creates a situation where attention and engagement naturally decline
(stimulate boredom)

Question 7

Explain the concept of cognitive load and its relevance to Andrade’s Doodling Experiment. How does doodling potentially reduce cognitive load?

Answer 7

-Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required for a task.
-Doodling may reduce cognitive load by providing a secondary, low-demand activity, allowing individuals to allocate fewer cognitive resources to the boring task, thereby improving attention and memory