REWARDS DURING LEARNING AFFECTS MEMORY

The Use of Rewards during Learning Affects Memory

[Name of Student]

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Research Question4

Hypothesis4

Literature4

Methods7

Design7

Participants8

Materials8

Procedure8

Ethical Considerations8

Results9

Discussion10

Conclusion11

References13

Appendix14

Appendix A14

Appendix B15

Appendix C16

The Use of Rewards during Learning Affects Memory

Introduction

Throughout Psychology, the use of rewards has been suggested to have a deliberate effect on memory enhancement. Through experimental procedures researchers have established a possible link between reward, attention and memory deficit. Part of a controversial topic, the purposes for the use of rewards is believed to contribute to the change in personal performance/behaviour.

Researchers such as Skinner conducted an experiment in which rats had to travel a particular route in a maze and press a lever in order to gain food. Despite the behaviour of the rat(s) being somewhat reinforced it is believed that this type of memorization task was effective due to the incentive of the reward received.

Motivation can be applied to a range of activities for which an animal or human will engage. Thus above-mentioned it is the primary incentive that regulates the outcome for what appears to be directed by reward. In order to utilise this idea, a Kim's game was selected to fortify beliefs that 'the use of rewards during learning affects memory'.

With the attempt to replicate a Kim's game, research was conducted accordingly and specific measures had taken place to counter-balance a realistic approach towards its limitations. Within this a pilot study had taken place. In order to validate the findings presented by hypothesis of the study, the data was extracted from control and experimental group for analysis. Each group took part in ten consecutive observational tasks over timed conditions. Participants were instructed to recall as many objects as possible. Both groups were praised for their efforts although the experimental group was subject to an incentive to score high to receive a cash sum.

The IV is 'payment', with two conditions: 'receipt of payment' and 'no payment'. The DV is 'number of items remembered'. The hypothesis is based on the following: “participants will perform better at observational skills and promote memory recall when receiving rewards for their task”. The null hypothesis therefore relates to: “participants do not perform better at observational skills to promote memory recall if rewards are not present for subsequent tasks”.

Research Question

The research question constructed to represent the purpose and significance of conducting this experimental study is enlightened below.

Is there any influence depicted by inclusion of reward during learning process on individual's memory?

Hypothesis

The null and alternate hypotheses constructed to represent the findings extracted from the sample of the study are enlightened below.

Ho: The mean scores representing the control group and experimental group are same.

H1: There is significant difference between the mean score representing control group and experimental group.

Literature

Seeking rewards is one of the basic instincts of human being that are a substantial part for his survival. According to different sources, the intention to grasp reward influences an individual's learning process and memory. According to the conception prescribed by Pavlovian conditioning, most of the individuals develop a mechanism that is facilitated by anticipations and predictions made in ...