Key Idea: Learning and cognition covers how we take in, store and use information — memory, attention, thinking and the biases within them.
Topic 3.4 at a glance
- Cognitive processes — Memory (multi-store, schema), attention, perception.
- Thinking & decisions — Dual processing; heuristics and biases (anchoring, confirmation).
- Reliability of cognition — Memory is reconstructive — eyewitness testimony can be distorted.
Memory · Thinking · Bias
IB-style questionExplain[6 marks]
In the context of learning and cognition, explain why eyewitness memory can be unreliable.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Is memory a recording? No — it's reconstructive, rebuilt using schemas (so it's biased).
Why do we make biased decisions? Fast System 1 shortcuts answer before System 2 checks.
Why doubt eyewitnesses? Schemas and leading questions distort reconstructed memory.
Link memory and thinking to bias and measurement: memory is reconstructive, and cognition is studied with careful experiments.