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Nine Commonly used Tests and Experiments to Assess Cognitive Processes are as follows: 1. Attention 2. Perception 3. Learning 4. Memory 5. Proactive Inhibition 6. Retroactive Inhibition 7. Thinking 8. Intelligence 9. Aptitude.
Cognition is a general term covering all the various modes of knowing-perceiving, intelligence, learning, remembering, etc.
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Cognitive processes include those processes which help us to have the knowledge and understanding of self and the environment.
Psychologists have developed different tests to assess these cognitive processes.
1. Attention:
Can be assessed by conducting different experiments. Fluctuation of attention may be studied by using double perspective figure, Masson’s disc, etc.
Distraction—by using a distraction device such as a record player and adding sheets the experiment may be conducted to find out the effect of distraction.
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Division—may be tested by using a ‘Division of attention board’.
Span- may be tested by using an instrument called ‘Tachistoscope’ and different cards with meaningful words and nonsense syllables.
2. Perception:
May be tested to demonstrate how illusion occurs by using instruments called ‘Muller-Lyer illusion board’, Horizontal- Vertical illusion board and Phi-phenomenon apparatus may be used to study the illusion of movement.
3. Learning:
There are different theories explaining the modes of learning. These modes can be studied experimentally.
Trial and error learning—by using an instrument called ‘Mirror tracing board’ with star pattern on a metallic plate.
Insight learning- by using board called ‘Miles step maze ‘with random and systematic paths. This may also be used to study the effect of punishment on learning.
Repetition and Recall experiments to know their implication may be conducted by using two lists of words.
Transfer of learning: Bilateral transfer of learning may studied by using ‘Mirror tracing board’.
4. Memory:
Experiments may be conducted to study memory and forgetting through Retroactive and Proactive inhibitions, Effect of meaning on memory, Recall and Recognition experiments. Proactive and retroactive inhibitions may be demonstrated by conducting the experiments as follows:
5. Proactive Inhibition:
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Experimental group:
Learn task ‘A’, Learn task ‘B’ (Retention interval) Measure recall of task ‘B’.
Control group:
Rest—– Learnt task ‘B’ (Retention interval) Recall task B.
In this case the interfering activity of learning task ‘A’ comes before learning of the to-be remembered items of task ‘B’. If there is proactive interference, the experimental group will recall task ‘B’ less well than will the control group.
6. Retroactive Inhibition:
Experimental group:
Learn task ‘A’, Learn task ‘B’ (Retention interval) Measure recall of task ‘A’.
Control group:
Learn task ‘A’, Rest (Retention interval) Measure recall of task ‘A’. The difference between the two groups is the learning of task ‘B’.
This comes after the learning of task ‘A’ and if retroactive inhibition occurs, the experimental group will do less well in recalling task ‘A’ items than will the control group (Please note: This experiment may be conducted by using two lists of words prepared for this purpose only).
7. Thinking:
How thinking works in formation of concepts may be assessed by using ‘Kasanin and Haufmann concept formation test’. Reasoning may be tested by using ‘Yerkes multiple choice apparatus’.
8. Intelligence:
There are various tests which are specially prepared for literates, illiterates, children, adults, for individuals, groups, etc. viz., Alexander’s battery of performance test of intelligence, Bhatia’s battery of performance test of intelligence, Raven’s progressive matrices, Wechsler’s adult and children intelligence tests, Otis test, Stanford-Binet scales, etc.
9. Aptitude:
There are experiments called Mechanical-aptitude, Art aptitude, Differential aptitude tests, Manual, Finger and Tweezer dexterity tests, etc.
In addition to the above, there are many experiments to assess the cognitive processes. It is impossible to present all the experiments and their procedures here. Hence only very few and more popular are mentioned briefly. The interested students may refer experimental manuals in psychology for detailed information.