Memory paper #1



Memory Paper: Scientific View & comparison to Cultural View

Summarize YOUR scientific theory of memory. Sketch this theory, supporting its components or features with evidence and examples as you go. You may organize this paper as you see fit, but a good starting point is the different memory theories presented in class. Paper organization is important. Be sure that what you intend to state is clearly presented.

Although your opinions about memory are certainly worth including in the paper, keep in mind that this is an empirical paper, not an opinion paper. Emphasize the data, evidence, and material presented in class.

A strong scientific paper (a) takes a point of view; (b) marshals evidence that favors that point of view, BUT (c) also acknowledges evidence that does not support the point of view. Don’t forget to be fair in your presentation of evidence. Evidence that does not fit cannot just be ignored.

Students should acknowledge that one student may reach different conclusions than another student about the best theory of memory even when they are looking at the same evidence (it happens all the time in science). Be sure to listen to your peers in this class, especially during peer review, but also understand that there may be legitimate differences in the way the evidence is interpreted.

Write no more than 10 pages (APA style -- use formal language, page numbers & header, APA margins, double spacing, etc.). Your audience is another person in this class; defining the audience helps to determine what information should be included.

On the due date, bring two copies of a draft of this paper to class ready to give to two other class members (establish groups of 3, and everyone in the group trade papers). Your group members will read your paper in preparation for the next class period; they will comment on it, suggesting revisions. This serves the following purposes:

1. listeners may have valuable reactions and questions (but I don't expect them to have evaluations or solutions)

2. you may get new ideas from hearing what others do with this assignment.

3. you will get a better idea of how your essay compares to others. This is necessary for the self-evaluation.

The final version is due 2 class period after peer review.

Criteria for grading:

See Comment Sheet. The most important criterion is the degree to which the paper clearly deals with the issues we have discussed in class during this unit. To get a good grade, you need to identify the important issues that have arisen, take a stand on them (your own opinion), and justify your opinion as best you can, using informal observations and research evidence (from informant interviews or from text) and logic. However, remember that empirical evidence (presented in the text or data and observations collected in class) is STRONGER than anecdotes or personal experiences, and emphasize empirical studies or class demonstrations accordingly.

I will primarily assess your general understanding of this section of material and how it applies to psychology. Make sure your essay shows your understanding of the material -- it should not be just a summary of lecture notes, or just a list of points. Integration and synthesis is always necessary.

IMPORTANT: you must include a section at the end of the paper, labeled “Comparison to Cultural View”. Give a detailed account of how your theory (based on research evidence) compares to the cultural view of memory.

CAUTION: A common mistake by students in past semesters is to make this section brief or superficial. Give it careful thought. Your grade depends on it.

Memory & Language

Memory Theory Paper Comment Sheet

This page will serve as the cover sheet for your paper. You must evaluate your own paper by filling this out (give each criterion a 1 - 10 (low-high) rating and briefly comment) before you hand in the paper (suggestion: MENTALLY fill it out as you write and before peer review). Your instructor/TA may agree with, disagree with, or augment your comments and evaluations. The draft 1 Comment Sheet must be turned in with draft 2, along with a new sheet evaluating draft 2. Information in italics applies only to drafts subsequent to the first.

Student Name: _____________________________

[This should be the ONLY place where you can be identified as the author of this paper. Can your instructor photocopy the paper to show anonymously to other students? __ yes __ no]

Audience appropriateness

Use of concrete examples

Incorporation of class discussion/material, including ideas, self-observations, and presentations of other students (refer to specific students by name).

Everyday examples and self-observations

Consistency and development of the theory

Greater use of empirical evidence, systematic examination of alternative views using evidence to support some and reject others

Clear position taken and supported

Ending subheading detailing comparisons to cultural view (IMPORTANT)

What characteristics or sections of my paper need improvement or additional attention (elaborate on back)?

Clarity of writing, formal language, APA style, spelling, grammar

Addressing the assigned list of memory issues, both in the body and at the end.

Overall Assessment & Grade: _____

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