In this module, we explore how psychologists design studies and test hypotheses. These three classic experiments reveal the surprising ways our brain processes information — and how rigorous research methods can uncover them.

🧠 Experiment 1: Posner’s Cueing Task – Shifting Attention (1980)

What happened?
Michael Posner developed a lab task in which participants responded faster to targets appearing in locations they were briefly cued to—even when the cue provided no useful information. This revealed how attention shifts automatically in response to environmental cues.

Why it matters:
This experiment demonstrated that attention can be directed without eye movement (covert attention), influencing how quickly and accurately we perceive stimuli. It laid the groundwork for research in cognitive neuroscience and attention mechanisms.

Related Topics: Visual Attention, Reaction Time, Experimental Design

🎥 Watch: Posner Cueing Task [0:10]

Source: Labvanced. (2024, December 16). Posner Cueing Task | Preview in Labvanced [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs_v6xy55VI

Reflection:
How might covert attention influence driving, video gaming, or reading facial expressions in conversation?

🚪 Experiment 2: The Door Study – Change Blindness (1998)

What happened?
In a clever field experiment, researchers swapped places behind a large door while asking strangers for directions. Despite the clear change in people, most participants didn’t notice the switch!

Why it matters:
This study illustrated change blindness — our surprising inability to notice visual changes when our attention is focused elsewhere. It highlights limits in awareness and has major implications for eyewitness testimony and attention research.

Related Topics: Perception, Field Experiments, Naturalistic Observation

🎥 Watch: The "Door" Study [1:36]

Source: Daniel Simons. (2010, March 14). The “Door” study [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWSxSQsspiQ

Reflection:
What does this suggest about the reliability of memory and our confidence in what we see?

🎩 Experiment 3: The Cocktail Party Effect – Selective Attention (1953)

What happened?
Colin Cherry coined the term “Cocktail Party Effect” after discovering that people in noisy rooms could still detect personally meaningful information — like their name — even when focused on a different conversation.

Why it matters:
This experiment supported the idea that some unattended information is still processed. It provided strong evidence for selective attention and the brain’s ability to filter and prioritize input.

Related Topics: Auditory Processing, Selective Attention, Information Filtering

🎥 Watch: The Cocktail Party Effect Explained [3:05]

Source: Psychology Exposed. (2025, March 31). The cocktail party effect explained [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97aEIDmp5H8

Reflection:
When have you noticed your own brain tuning in to something important — even while distracted?

💬 Questions to Ponder

After watching, consider:

How do these studies demonstrate the use of the scientific method in psychology?
What did you learn about attention and perception that surprised you?
How might these findings apply to real-world contexts like education, driving, or communication?

💡 Key Insight: These experiments reveal how even everyday moments can offer profound lessons when studied scientifically. Think like a psychological scientist!