Discuss the reliability of one cognitive process.

Refer to the paper 1 section B assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to give a considered and balanced review of the reliability of one cognitive process. Cognitive processes may include: memory, perception, or decision-making.

Responses may include, but are not limited to:
• that human memory is reconstructive and remembering is not simply retrieving a fully encoded event (Loftus and Palmer, 1974; Bartlett, 1932)
• that human memory may be reliable (Yuille and Cutshall, 1986; Brown and Kulik, 1977)
• the influence of emotion on memory (Brown and Kulik, 1977)
• the impact of environmental stimuli on perception (carpentered world hypothesis)
• the role of heuristics in decision-making may lead to errors in judgement (Tversky and Kahneman, 1974).

Discussion of the reliability of the cognitive process may include, but is not limited to:
• degree of empirical support
• contrary findings or explanations
• methodological and/or cultural considerations
• application to real life, for example, eye witness testimony.

Whichever cognitive process is selected, the focus of the response should be on a discussion of its reliability.

If the reliability of more than one cognitive process is discussed, credit should be given only to the first cognitive process.