This assignment involves participation in Psychology experiments.
The experiments will be run in B21, Dwinelle Hall (the
basement of Dwinelle Hall's South wing, next to the language labs).
The lab B21 operates 8 - 6 MTWTh and 8 - 5 F. However,
sometimes the lab is reserved for classes, so first, be sure to check the
schedule: http://tuna2.berkeley.edu/facility/reserve/classlmf.html,
and come to the lab's Open Drop-in Hours.
When you come to B21:
- Sign your name, sid# and class name at the entrance
- Choose a computer; enter the login name:"ling109" and
password (come to section or contact your TA (Ben)
in class or by e-mail to get the password!)
- Open the following folders, respectively: Classes,
Ling 109, Cognitive Psychology Experiments, Home.
- Run experiments 16, 2 and 15 on yourself (in
that order).
- Print out the results (graphs and references)
-Answer the following questions (turn in the answers
and the graphs):
1. (Exp. 16: Word - Nonword Judgment):
- Give a possible biological explanation
for the spreading activation which leads to priming in this experiment.
- Does this experiment give evidence
for any cognitive phenomena?
2. (Exp. 2: Word Superiority effect): (note:
words will disappear very quickly; the experiment relies on your unconscious
processing of information, so proceed with the experiment even if you cannot
name the words that were flashed)
- Which do you think is most relevant
to this experiment: the top-down or the bottom-up cognitive processing?
Explain.
- List the cognitive phenomena illustrated
by this experiment.
3. (Exp. 15: Memory for Dot Patterns):
- What does the experiment suggest
about the mind?
- Give a possible biological explanation
for the results of the experiment in terms of the visual system.
Tips for running experiments:
- Allow yourself at least an hour of
lab-time: each experiment takes about 15 minutes.
- To avoid the effect of program bugs,
please click on the arrows on the screen instead of using the arrow keys.
This assignment is due in class on Monday, February 8.
Readings:
Reader: 1 - 4; Regier: ch 1.