Dr. Chris Dwyer

Dr. Chris Dwyer

School of PsychologyNational University of Ireland, Galway

[email protected]

Writing &

Memory Techniques

What is an Essay?

An essay refers to a piece of prose-based writing that presents an argument.

An argument is the presentation of a claim or some point of view, along with reasons and/or objections that either support or refute the claim.

Consists of at least 12-15 points.

All arguments share the characteristics of being composed of a network of propositions, prose-based or otherwise, that are structured via logical, inferential relationships:

A central claim

Reasons for why the central claim is true

Objections to the central claim

Rebuttals that object to objections

Remember, an Essay is an argument!

Aggression is a serious problem in society. It is commonplace to hear of events involving violence, verbal abuse and other forms of aggression. Many factors influence aggressive behaviour. For years, psychologists have sought to understand whether an individual’s behaviour emerges as a result of nature (i.e. their biology) or nurture (i.e. their environment). Aggressive behaviour falls into this argument. Is aggressive behaviour a by product of nature or nurture?

Ethologists have shown that aggression in members of a species can aid survival of that species. They have shown, for example, that intra-specific aggression has several biological advantages. When accompanied by rivalry among males for mating opportunities, intraspecific aggression tends to perpetuate the genes of the healthier, more vigorous animals. Freud theorised that thanatos (the death instinct) and libido (the sexual drive) help to form personality by virtue of the way sexuality and aggression were channelled. However, Freud’s ideas are merely theoretical and little scientific findings support these ideas. This is because psychoanalytic ideas (e.g. the death instinct) cannot be adequately tested or falsified in an empirical fashion.

One piece of evidence to suggest that biology causes aggression is the fact that testosterone is correlated with aggression. For example, there is evidence that high levels of testosterone are correlated with aggression, as are depleted levels of serotonin. Men have higher levels of testosterone and are generally more aggressive than women (Knight et al., 1996). The role testosterone plays in aggression was exemplified when Dabbs et al. (1988) found that female prison inmates who displayed unprovoked violence and who had received several other convictions also showed high levels of testosterone.

Genetic factors play a major role in aggression (e.g. in the breed of dogs). Inbreeding can create unstable temperaments, and hormones can contribute to aggressive tendencies in intact male dogs. However, an individual’s environment can affect his or her testosterone level. For example, increases in testosterone have been found in Brazilian supporters who saw their team win the 1994 World Cup on television (Fielden et al., 1994).

On the nurture side of things, various environmental factors may also influence aggression. For example, when parents habitually resort to aggression, their children are likely to do the same. In extreme cases of child abuse, parents who beat their children usually turn out to have been victims of child abuse themselves (Parke & Collmer, 1975). This can also be seen in work done by Bandura (1977) found that, after watching an adult interact with a ‘Bobo Doll’, children tended to imitate the observed behaviour. For example, if the adult beat the doll with a stick, children often did the same. Longitudinal studies tracing development from childhood to adolescence have found that long- term viewing of violence on television is associated with an increase in boys’ violent behaviour as adults (Lefkowitz et al., 1977). However, Feshbach & Singer (1971) found that being subjected to consistent violent television programmes, over six months, as a teenager, didn’t increase levels of aggression and found that in some cases individuals were less aggressive.

Displacement of responsibility is an important factor in aggressive behaviour. When people feel less responsibility for their behaviour (e.g., in mob situations), they are more likely to act aggressively. Aggression tends to increase in groups, which is a result of group polarization. Group attitudes often polarize (i.e., become more extreme) when individuals with similar attitudes get together. One outcome is extreme aggression.

Dollard et al. (1939) proposed that aggressive behaviour results from frustration in attempts to achieve personal goals. Dollard said that ‘aggression is always a consequence of frustration’ and ‘frustration always leads to some form of aggression’. However, experimental evidence for the frustration-aggression theory is mixed. According to Berkowitz (1962), frustration yields anger and anger only leads to aggression when a person is exposed to an aggressive cue, e.g. a gun.

In conclusion, one acknowledges that aggression is a serious problem in society. It is commonplace to hear of events involving violence, verbal abuse and other forms of aggression. There are many influences on aggressive behaviour, such as various biological and environmental factors. For years, psychologists have argued about whether or not human behaviour is the result of nature or nurture. Aggressive behaviour falls into this argument. There is no 'clear-cut' answer here, as both environmental and biological factors influence aggression.

because

because because because

but

because because because because

Since the dawn of man, aggression has been characterised by human biology and natural factors.

Genetic and hereditary factors play a major role in aggression.Ethologists have shown that aggression in members of a species can aid survival and enhance fitness.Freud (1917) claimed that humans have a self-destructive urge known as the 'death instinct', which is redirected towards others in the form of aggression.

The human environment influences aggressive tendencies.

Entertainment and media influence aggressive behaviour.Aggression and violence are more common in some cultures than others (Bellesiles, 1999).Groups can influence aggression.Parents can influence levels of aggression in their children.

Aggression is biologically caused.

An argument map is a visual representation of that logically structured network of reasoning, in which the argument is made unambiguous and explicit.

That is, there is no need for attention switching from paragraph to paragraph or from page to page in search of reasons and objections to the central claim around which the argument map is constructed.

because

because because

because

because because

but


Genetic and hereditary factors play a major role in aggression.

Genes have been discovered that code for levels of testosterone, and testosterone influences aggression levels.Inbreeding and selective breeding illustrate the role of genes and hereditary factors in aggression.

Alterations in human biochemistry also havean effect on aggression.

Prescription strength cough and cold medications often trigger aggression.High blood alcohol increases aggression.


Entertainment and media influence aggressive behaviour.Displacement of responsibility in group settings is an important factor in aggressive behaviour.Parents can influence levels of aggression in thier children.


WHAT IS AN ARGUMENT MAP?

Argument maps use a ‘box and arrow’ design in which the boxes represent propositions (i.e. the central claim, reasons, objections and rebuttals) and the ‘arrows’ among propositions indicate the inferential relationships linking the propositions together.

Thus, the provision of an arrow between two propositions indicates that one is evidence for or against another.

because

because because

because

because because

but


Genetic and hereditary factors play a major role in aggression.

Genes have been discovered that code for levels of testosterone, and testosterone influences aggression levels.Inbreeding and selective breeding illustrate the role of genes and hereditary factors in aggression.

Alterations in human biochemistry also havean effect on aggression.

Prescription strength cough and cold medications often trigger aggression.High blood alcohol increases aggression.


Entertainment and media influence aggressive behaviour.Displacement of responsibility in group settings is an important factor in aggressive behaviour.Parents can influence levels of aggression in thier children.


Why would Argument Maps be able to facilitate improved learning? Maps are organised in a hierarchical structure, where

propositions are identified as either reasons or objections.

Colour (a Gestalt Grouping Principle of Similarity) allows the reader to easily differentiate reasons from objections.

Argument Mapping removes the cognitive load (Sweller & Chandler, 1991) from thinking as the maps naturally chunk (Miller,1956) the propositions together in a close proximity, as opposed to text.

Research suggests that argument maps not only improve memory (Dwyer, Hogan & Stewart, 2010; Dwyer, 2011), they also improve critical thinking (Alvarez-Ortiz, 2007; Butchart et al., 2009; Dwyer, 2011; van Gelder, 2000; 2001).

House Metaphor



One piece of evidence to suggest that biology causes aggression is the fact that testosterone is correlated with aggression. For example, there is evidence that high levels of testosterone are correlated with aggression, as are depleted levels of serotonin. Men have higher levels of testosterone and are generally more aggressive than women (Knight et al., 1996). The role testosterone plays in aggression was exemplified when Dabbs et al. (1988) found that female prison inmates who displayed unprovoked violence and who had received several other convictions also showed high levels of testosterone. Genetic factors play a major role in aggression (e.g. in the breed of dogs). Inbreeding can create unstable temperaments, and hormones can contribute to aggressive tendencies in intact male dogs. However, an individual’s environment can affect his or her testosterone level. For example, increases in testosterone have been found in Brazilian supporters who saw their team win the 1994 World Cup on television (Fielden et al., 1994).

On the nurture side of things, various environmental factors may also influence aggression. For example, when parents habitually resort to aggression, their children are likely to do the same. In extreme cases of child abuse, parents who beat their children usually turn out to have been victims of child abuse themselves (Parke & Collmer, 1975). This can also be seen in work done by Bandura (1977) found that, after watching an adult interact with a ‘Bobo Doll’, children tended to imitate the observed behaviour. For example, if the adult beat the doll with a stick, children often did the same. Longitudinal studies tracing development from childhood to adolescence have found that long- term viewing of violence on television is associated with an increase in boys’ violent behaviour as adults (Lefkowitz et al., 1977). However, Feshbach & Singer (1971) found that being subjected to consistent violent television programmes, over six months, as a teenager, didn’t increase levels of aggression and found that in some cases individuals were less aggressive.






One piece of evidence to suggest that biology causes aggression is the fact that testosterone is correlated with aggression. For example, there is evidence that high levels of testosterone are correlated with aggression, as are depleted levels of serotonin. Men have higher levels of testosterone and are generally more aggressive than women (Knight et al., 1996). The role testosterone plays in aggression was exemplified when Dabbs et al. (1988) found that female prison inmates who displayed unprovoked violence and who had received several other convictions also showed high levels of testosterone. Genetic factors play a major role in aggression (e.g. in the breed of dogs). Inbreeding can create unstable temperaments, and hormones can contribute to aggressive tendencies in intact male dogs. However, an individual’s environment can affect his or her testosterone level. For example, increases in testosterone have been found in Brazilian supporters who saw their team win the 1994 World Cup on television (Fielden et al., 1994).

On the nurture side of things, various environmental factors may also influence aggression. For example, when parents habitually resort to aggression, their children are likely to do the same. In extreme cases of child abuse, parents who beat their children usually turn out to have been victims of child abuse themselves (Parke & Collmer, 1975). This can also be seen in work done by Bandura (1977) found that, after watching an adult interact with a ‘Bobo Doll’, children tended to imitate the observed behaviour. For example, if the adult beat the doll with a stick, children often did the same.

Longitudinal studies tracing development from childhood to adolescence have found that long- term viewing of violence on television is associated with an increase in boys’ violent behaviour as adults (Lefkowitz et al., 1977). However, Feshbach & Singer (1971) found that being subjected to consistent violent television programmes, over six months, as a teenager, didn’t increase levels of aggression and found that in some cases individuals were less aggressive.




1. Nature or nurture

2. Biological advantages

3. Testosterone

4. ‘Bobo Doll’

5. Violent television programmes

6. Displacement of responsibility

7. Frustration-aggression theory

Memory Capacity:How Much Information?

7 ± 2 items of information (Miller, 1956)

For example, words and numbers

Chunking (De Groot, 1946; 1978; Miller, 1956) refers to the cognitive act of combining a number of items into a single ‘chunk’ or ‘chunks’

Let’s try a little experiment based on research conducted by Severin & Rigby (1963).

8026471824

081 - 468 - 1753

What’s your number?

Magical Number 7 ± 2 (Miller, 1956)

4681753

468 - 17 - 53

46 - 81 - 753

46 - 817 - 53

Make it Meaningful!

e (Growth) and Andrew Jackson

e = 2.718281828459045

e = 2.718281828459045

1. Nature or nurture

2. Biological advantages

3. Testosterone

4. ‘Bobo Doll’

5. Violent television programmes

6. Displacement of responsibility

7. Frustration-aggression theory

Nature or Nurture

Biological advantages

Testosterone

‘Bobo Doll’

Violent television programmes

Displacement of responsibility

Frustration-aggression theory

Mnemonics

Techniques used to assist memory, such as using pictures, rhymes or figures of speech.

For example, Word Mnemonics

Word Mnemonics

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species, Variety =

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species, Variety

Kings Play Cards On Fairly Good Soft Velvet.

The categories in the classification of life are:

Acronyms The use of acronyms is a very common

mnemoncic technique.

An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a name or by combining initial letters of a series of words.

For example,

NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization

All theses and essays consist of 3 parts:

1. Introduction

2. Body

3. Conclusion

Tell them what you’re going to tell them.

Tell them.

Tell them again.

STRUCTURE OF AN ESSAY / THESIS

“If you don’t start with a quote, start with something quotable.”

1.Thesis Statement or Central Claim What is this piece trying to argue?

2.So what? What’s your point? Why is this concept important?

Tell them what you’re going to tell them.THE INTRODUCTION

Why do you believe this? Better yet, why do you want me to believe this?

Present at least 3-5 core reasons.

In an essay, one paragraph is all that is necessary. In a thesis, you might devote an entire chapter to the Intro.

Tell them what you’re going to tell them.THE INTRODUCTION

• Within the body, you will present, in detail, each of your 3-5 reasons for why you believe the central claim.

• Each reason is important and thus, deserves its own paragraph.

• One paragraph = One idea unit

• A good rule of thumb is that each paragraph should contain no less than three sentences.

Tell them.THE BODY

• Present at least 3-5 more reasons to support each of your 3-5 core reasons.

• If and ONLY if related, these 3-5 reasons should follow one another in the same paragraph in an effort to support one of you core reasons.

• If they are not directly related, then they should be placed in separate paragraphs.

• Remember, one paragraph = one idea unit AND

related ideas = one idea unit

Tell them.THE BODY

Are there reasons why I shouldn’t believe this?Consider objections to your:

○ Central claim, ○ Core reasons, and ○ Reasons to support you core reasons

If there are objections, then present them where relevant (i.e. next to the idea it is objecting to).

Don’t go overboard with objections – you don’t want to persuade the reader to disbelieve your initial claim! So, try to refute objections as well!

Then why bother? Presenting objections shows that you have:

Considered both sides of the argument Critically evaluated the topic

Tell them.THE BODY

Reiterate the central claim.

Explain why you believe your central claim with a little more specificity than in the introduction. N.B. This can come from the body (e.g. reasons for

your reasons).

What do your findings mean? What are their implications? Were there any limitations? What should future research look at? Again, why is this important?

Tell them again.THE CONCLUSION

I. IntroductionI. Something QuotableII. Central claimIII. Why is it important?IV. Core Reasons

II. BodyI. Core Reason 1

I. Supporting Reason 1II. Supporting Reason 2III. Supporting Reason 3

II. Core Reason 2I. Supporting Reason 1II. Supporting Reason 2III. Supporting Reason 3

III. Core Reason 3I. Supporting Reason 1II. Supporting Reason 2III. Supporting Reason 3

IV. Core Reason 4I. Supporting Reason 1II. Supporting Reason 2III. Supporting Reason 3

V. Core Reason 5I. Supporting Reason 1II. Supporting Reason 2III. Supporting Reason 3

III. ConclusionI. Restatement of Central Claim, Importance & Core ReasonsII. SummariseIII. Implications, Limitations & Future ResearchIV. Concluding Points

Your weakest reason should go in

the middle.

Weakest , in this context, would refer to the least amount of support or the most easily criticised. In which case, you might consider providing an objection.

Your strongest reasons should go

first and last in the body.

STRUCTURE

Know what you’re going to argue. Know why you’re arguing that

way. Know the alternatives.

Develop an essay structure in order to provide yourself a visual representation of what the essay will look like before you even write it.

This will allow you to adapt and cope with the potential ‘surprises’ that may be encountered during the writing process.

PLAN YOUR ESSAY / THESIS AHEAD OF TIME

Where do I get my Reasons and Objections?

RESEARCH!

GOOGLE SCHOLAR!

Use the 12-15 points rule as an anchor in essays.

What is the Word limit?Perhaps, the word limit does not permit discussion

of 12-15 separate points. Maybe 9 points is more feasible?

Do you have 12-15 points? If not, do more research.If you still don’t have 12-15 points after research,

that’s fine – make a greater effort to critically evaluate the points you have.

I would much rather 12 points discussed and evaluated well, than 24 points merely presented.

QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY

Common Mistakes Writing down everything you know (including

additional research) and:○ Submitting without revision○ Realising you’ve more than doubled the word

limit

What should I do?Write down everything you know (including

additional research) and:1.Group related concepts together2.Rework vague ideas in order to provide clarity3.Remove weak ideas and reasons4.Organise these ideas (e.g. through an outline or

an argument map)

QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY

How? Restate the question.

Critically evaluate the role of Daisy Buchanan in the Great Gatsby.

“Daisy Buchanan plays a major role in the Great Gatsby for a number of reasons, including…”

Discuss the concept of growth and its role in macro-economics.

“The concept of growth is a vital factor to consider when evaluating macro-economics due to…”

ANSWER THE QUESTION!

Critically evaluate…Provide reasons, objections, limits and

strengths.

Discuss… Provide information learned in your

lecture and describe the related concepts in greater detail (e.g. through outside reading).

ALWAYS CRITICALLY

EVALUATE!!!

ANSWER THE QUESTION!

Evaluation is a CT skill that is used in the assessment of propositions and claims, in which we:

1. Assess the credibility of arguments2. Assess the relevance of arguments3. Assess the logical strength of an argument

structure4. Assess the balance and bias of evidence in the

argument

During evaluation, our objective is to arrive at some conclusions about the overall strengths and weakness of an argument.

EVALUATION

You weren’t born knowledgeable!References allow you to use the knowledge of

others without plagiarising.

References provide you with a source to argue against – a good place to start critically evaluating!

References allow you to exhibit the fact that you did the research!

WHAT ARE REFERENCES & WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT?

There are many referencing styles.Generally consist of:

○ Author, Year, Title, Place and Publisher (Book)○ Author, Year, Title, Publication, Vol./Iss. and

Pages (Journal)

Referencing within the text: (Surname[s], Year)

REFERENCES

REMAIN CONSISTENT!!!

After you have inferred a logical conclusion, you will want to explain and present it clearly.

Txt tlk isnt gr8 4 SAs or T-sez

Write as if your Granny was reading. Use Headings and Sub-Headings

Shows the reader that you have a structure and that your understanding of the topic is organised.

This is the 21st CenturyType and PrintBlack inkTimes New Roman Size 12 font

CLARITY & PRESENTATION

Unless DirectedOtherwise!

AVOID GLORIOUS BULLSHIT!

Remove unnecessary words. Re-evaluate words that end in ‘ly’.

REMOVE UNNECESSARY VERBIAGE

The question as to whether whether There is no doubt that no doubt He is a man who he This is a subject that this subject His story is a strange one His story is

strange.

Don’t blindly use a thesaurus Know the difference between e.g. and i.e.

e.g. = For example i.e. = That is

Presentation: Common Errors

There, Their and They’re Firstly Proved Between / Among Data Criteria Comma after introductory element

In conclusion, For example, Thus,

Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas. The best way to see a country, unless you are pressed

for time, is to travel on foot.

Presentation: Common Errors Apostrophes indicate possession, not plurality.

John’s dog jumped… Students’ feelings towards continuous assessment… NOT feelings towards CA’s (i.e. it should be CAs)

It’s / Its

Semi-colons are useful for writing; thus, it is important we use them.

Don’t use conjunctions in academic/technical writing… I mean, do not use conjunctions in academic/technical

writing.

Do not end a sentence with a preposition.

Presentation• Pictures are cute, but don’t belong in an

essay– If you think a diagram or chart might help

elaborate or clarify, include it as a figure.– Tables might also be included.

Figure 1: A system of cognitive processes for educational objectives

1.Identifying arguments

1. Standardizing arguments

1. Necessary and sufficient conditions

1. Language (definitions and fallacies of language)

1. Accepting premises

1. Accepting relevance

1. Arguments from analogy

1. Arguments from experience

1. Causal arguments

Table 1: Critical Thinking skills taught to students

Research

Evidence & Referencing

Answer the Question!

Quality, not quantity.

Critically evaluate! Describe Exemplify Evaluate Implications?

What is Expected of Me?

Report Writing

Developing a Research Question Research Questions ‘define’ an empirical

investigation.

They set boundaries for the study.

They provide direction to the researcher on how best to conduct the study and how to tease out other important elements.

They act as a frame of reference for you to assess your work. Always make sure that you are actually answering the research question!

Theory

Theory has been described as ‘an explanation of observed regularities’.

How do you think theories are developed?

Literature Review Provides the ‘bones’ of the study as it helps you to

‘ground’ certain concepts in light of past research – enabling you to expand your research questions.

Allows you to justify your theory!

What should it include?Literature that is relevant to your research aimsLiterature that is relevant to your dataLiterature that is relevant to your methodology

Hypotheses!!!

Merits of the Literature Review

Exhibit ORGANISED knowledge

Exhibit Critical Thinking

Exhibit your ability to identify relevant information

Exhibit main theoretical debates

RESEARCH!

GOOGLE SCHOLAR!

Sources of Literature

Methodology: What was done? Data Analysis

Participants

Materials & Measures

Procedure

Findings State your findings in a Results section. For

example:

Results revealed that undergraduate students exhibited significantly more positive attitudes towards X-Factor than post-graduate students.

In the Discussion section, interpret this finding, that is: Why is this the case and what does it mean?