Hey, I\'m having trouble with this lab Assignment(Psychology Research Methods).
ID: 3485834 • Letter: H
Question
Hey, I'm having trouble with this lab Assignment(Psychology Research Methods). PLEASE help me out solving it, I'll post all the questions(9Q) and you can answer as many as you want or just one, I only answered the first question, check if it is right or not just in case please. It's about Identifying Independent and Dependent Variables and Article Reviews. The Professor's TA said that you'll find the most of the answers in the beginning of the article. However, the answer doesn't have to be long, just simple short specific answer will do enough. this is DUE tomorrow at midnight. I'll post the article first then ill post the questions. Apologies the article is a bit long X_X. Appreciate the help for real!
Lab 3 Questions
Identifying Independent and Dependent Variables and Article Reviews
Questions to be applied to Li and Blatchley (2014)
1. What is the primary question posed by the study?
The primary question posed by this study is that if molecules such as peppermint or odorants have an effect on the cognitive functioning or the working memory of a person. This odour are generally known as having an alerting effect on people.
a) Is there a hypothesis stated? If so, what is it? yes, there is a hypothesis and the hypothesis states that, the time when odorants would enter into nose, there is more than only a sense of smell that is created and this effect may reach and act directly on the brain.
b) What is the theoretical explanation for the proposed hypothesis? the theoretical explanation is that there has been research done previously that has stated that odorants do have influences on the working memory and on cognitive functions of a person.
4. What was the dependent variable and how was it operationalized?
5. As concise as possible, briefly summarize the procedures, in other words describe what participants did from the start to the end of the study.
6. How do the results of the study affect the originally posed hypothesis (or purpose of study)?
7. Describe one strength of the study
a) Describe one weaknesses of the study?
8. What is a logical extension of the study? Briefly describe a study you could conduct to extend the research.
9. Write a paragraph using 5 sentences or less that summarizes the study. In this summary make sure you include a brief description of: 1) What they did, 2) What they found, and 3) What they suggested was the meaning or importance of what they found.
Examining the Effect of Peppermint on Cognitive Functioning Sijia Li and Barbara Blatchley Agnes Scott College ABSTRACT. When odorant molecules enter the nose, they do more than create a sensation of smell. Previous research has documented the influence of odorants on mood, physiology, cognitive functioning, and behaviors. The current study investigatedwhether and how peppernint, an odor commonly described as alerting, and the expectation of its presence, would affect attention and working memory. Fifty female undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: peppermint (threshold odorant, no expectation), expectation (no odorant, expectation), and control (no odorant, no expectation). Participants completed the Stroop or-Word Interference Test and memory span assessments while wearing facial masks that either had the odorant applied to them or had no odorant applied in accordance with their condition assignments. We found no significant differences in performance on the Stroop Test and the memory span assessments across all three conditions. We propose that peppermint odorants of higher concentration may be needed to produce enhancing effects on cognitive functioning. The current study contributed to the literature as a pilot study on the topic and posed questions for fiiture researchers s the least studied of thc five human senses olfaction plays an important role in our perception of the world and has extensive labels. In some cases, the perception of an odor ant was inverted by the labels. For example, a l:l combination of isovaleric and butyric acid (rated as but often unnoticcd, influence on our behaviors. having a "cheesy" smell by a separate set of observ- Goldstein (2010) summarized the function of theers) was rated neutral when labeled parmesan cheese olfactory system, saying that odorant moleculesand was rated extremely unpleasant when labeled come into the nose and stimulate the receptor vomit. Morrot, Brochet, and Dubourdieu (2001) found that adding red coloring to white wine led wine tasters to describe the aroma with terms that then transmit signals to the priforn cortex and the were usually associated with red wine. Similarly, a test odorant consisting of a mixture of sweat and cheddar cheese was rated more pleasant when it was cortex do not always respond in the same manner labeled cheddar cheese than when it was labeled body to a certain odorant molecule. Other factors such odor (de Araujo, Rolls, Velazco, Margot, & Cayeux as expectation can alter the perception of odnts2005). Herz (2003) took a further step. She asked participants to evaluate the pleasantness, safety, Herz and von Clef (2001) first demonstrated thatand familiarity of eight odorants based on the the perception of the hedonics of odorants could odorants only, or the odor labels only, or both. The be significantly affected by the accompanying odorresults showed that the ratings of odor hedonics neurons in the olfactory mucosa, which send signals to the olfactory bulb. Neurons in the olfactory bulb amygdala, and next to the orbitofrontal cortex. However, the neurons in the orbitofrontal and neural processing to create olfactory illusions.Explanation / Answer
1. What is the primary question posed by the study?
Went through your answer to the first question and it is fine. You can consider my alternative answer, which is similar in context.
Answer: As previous studies documented correlation between odorants and mood/physiologic changes, the current study tries to analyze how correlation between peppermint odor and cognitive function or working memory exists. Here, current study tries to find if correlation effect on mood and behavior due to olfactory senses of odorants or due to its emotional influence associated with memories of previous events.
a) Your answer on hypothesis is great. You can consider alternative answer: Hypothesis stated is odorants have olfactory influence on cognitive functioning and working memory and may act directly on the cognition.
b) Your answer is good catch. The theoretical explanation for hypothesis is statement of conclusion documented from previous studies, which states there is correlation between odorants and cognitive functioning of an individual, thus influence of odorants on working memory can be observed.
4. What was the dependent variable and how was it operationalized?
Answer: Dependent variable is the variable which we test and measure to check proposed hypothesis. We test effect of independent variable on dependent variable by manipulating independent variable. In this study, the dependent variable is cognitive functioning and working memory. Independent variable is odorants. In this experiment, we study how odorants influence cognitive functioning and working memory. We study if it is more than just olfactory senses have influence or associated memories of previous events have influence on working memory. For this, 50 number of subjects taken and randomly grouped as threshold group (where odorants are provided), expectation group (where subjects expect odorants through mask but odorants not present), control group (where subjects neither given odorants nor they have expectation of it). After the preliminary stimulus presentation, subjects are provided with some cognitive tests to analyze effect of odorants on cognitive functioning and working memory and to draw correlation between influence of odorants and physiologic and mood changes.