Newcomer et al (1999)

Question 1

Where can this study be used? (2)

Answer 1

Research methods used in the biological approach.
The function of hormones in human behavior.

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

To investigate whether high levels of cortisol interfere with verbal declarative memory

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

Employees or students at the Washington University Medical Center
* all given clinical interview with physician + excluded from samples if pregnant, had history of mental illness, suffered head trauma or illness that had been treated with corticosteroids

Question 4

Conditions

Answer 4

Double-blind laboratory experiment, all P assigned to one of three conditions:
* high level of cortisol: given a tablet containing 160 mg of cortisol each day of four-day experiment - produces blood levels similar to those seen when experiencing a major stress event
* low level of cortisol: given a tablet containing 40mg of cortisol per day - similar to amount during minor surgical procedure
* placebo group: given placebo tablets as control group

Question 5

Method

Answer 5

All participants were asked to listen to and recall a prose paragraph
* each day they were given a different piece of prose with the same level of difficulty (they were tested 3 times)
* baseline test: there was no significant difference between groups (not a confounding variable)
* tested again one day after the pill and after 4 days
* tested again 6 days later to make sure there were no long-term effects of the treatment on P

Question 6

Results

Answer 6

high cortisol levels impaired performance in memory task: P who recieved the highest level of cortisol showed worst performance in verbal declarative memory (40% recall on day 4)
* verified that effect was not permanent (stopped after they stopped taking the hormone pill)
* clear link between levels of cortisol and remembering: high levels of cortisol interfere with recall of prose passage
* no statistical difference between low dose and placebo group: both increased in performance due to practice effect

Question 7

Limitations (3)

Answer 7

• experiment ran over several days and the P were not in the lab the whole time
  
  • researchers did not have full control over extraneous variables (individual stressors)
• low ecological validity: memorising a piece of prose is not authentic memory experience: lack of generalisability
• ethical considerations: ingested cortisol

Question 8

Strengths (4)

Answer 8

• Experimental study: researches could establish clear cause and effect between IV and DV
• carried out baseline test: limiting counfounding variable of individual differences
• different texts used each day but were all counterbalances
• P has signed informed consent form and damage was not permanent