Outline and Evaluate Research Related to the Features of
Short-Term Memory (Coding, Capacity and Duration)? (16)
Coding AO1:
Coding – The format in which information is stored in various memory stores
Research on Coding – Baddeley – 4 groups – STM = Worse with acoustically similar words LTM =
Worse with semantically similar words.
Capacity AO1:
Capacity – Amount of information that can be held in memory store
Research on Capacity – Joseph Jacobs – digit span – 9.3 digits – 7.3 letters. Miller – 7 + - 2 – putting
items together extends STM capacity
Duration AO1:
Duration – Length of time information can be held in memory stores
Research on Duration – Peterson & Peterson – STM – up to 18 seconds without rehearsal. Bahrick –
LTM – Yearbook – recognition of faces 90% after 15 years – recall 60% - recognition dropped to 70%
after 48 years
Evaluation AO3:
Artificial Stimuli – Word lists had no significance
Lacking Validity – Could be extraneous variables such as distractions
Meaningless Stimuli – Used consonant syllables
Discuss and Evaluate the Multi-Store Model:
Multi-Store Model AO1:
Multi-Store Model – Representation of how memory works in 3 stores. Describes how information is
transferred from 1 store to another, how it is remembered and forgotten
Sensory Register – Iconic and echoic stores with very brief duration, high capacity. Transfer by
attention.
STM – Limited capacity and duration store. Mainly acoustic coding. Transfer to LTM by rehearsal
LTM – Unlimited capacity and duration, permanent store. Mainly semantic. Created through
maintenance rehearsal.
Evaluation AO3:
Supporting Research Evidence – Studies into coding, capacity and duration demonstrate differences
between STM and LTM
, More than 1 Type of STM – Studies of amnesia (KF) show different STMs for visual and auditory
material.
More than 1 Type of Rehearsal – Elaborative rehearsal necessary for transfer to LTM, not
maintenance rehearsal
Describe and Evaluate Different Types of Long-Term
Memory? (16)
Types of Long-Term Memory AO1:
Episodic Memory – Memory for events in our lives
Semantic Memory – Memory for knowledge of the world, like an encyclopedia and dictionary.
Includes language
Procedural Memory – Memory for automatic and often skilled behaviour
Evaluation AO3:
Clinical Evidence – Clive Wearing and HM damaged episodic memories but semantic and procedural
memories fine.
Neuroimaging Evidence – Episodic and procedural memories recalled from different parts of the
prefrontal cortex
Real-Life Applications – Training programme for adults with mild-cognitive impairments
Describe and Evaluate the Working-Memory Model? (16)
Working Memory Model AO1:
Working-Memory Model – Representation of STM. Suggest STM is dynamic processor of different
types of information using sub-units by central decision-making system
Central Executive – Co-ordinates slave system and allocates resources, very limited storage
Phonological Loop – Auditory information – phonological store and articulatory process
(maintenance rehearsal)
Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad – Visual information – visual cache (store) and inner scribe (spatial
arrangement)
Episodic Buffer – Integrates processing of slave systems and records order of events. Linked to LTM
Evaluation AO3:
Clinical Evidence – KF had poor auditory memory but good visual memory. Damaged PL but VSS fine
Dual-Task Performance – Baddeley - Difficult to do 2 visual tasks at same time, but 1 visual and 1
verbal is okay
Short-Term Memory (Coding, Capacity and Duration)? (16)
Coding AO1:
Coding – The format in which information is stored in various memory stores
Research on Coding – Baddeley – 4 groups – STM = Worse with acoustically similar words LTM =
Worse with semantically similar words.
Capacity AO1:
Capacity – Amount of information that can be held in memory store
Research on Capacity – Joseph Jacobs – digit span – 9.3 digits – 7.3 letters. Miller – 7 + - 2 – putting
items together extends STM capacity
Duration AO1:
Duration – Length of time information can be held in memory stores
Research on Duration – Peterson & Peterson – STM – up to 18 seconds without rehearsal. Bahrick –
LTM – Yearbook – recognition of faces 90% after 15 years – recall 60% - recognition dropped to 70%
after 48 years
Evaluation AO3:
Artificial Stimuli – Word lists had no significance
Lacking Validity – Could be extraneous variables such as distractions
Meaningless Stimuli – Used consonant syllables
Discuss and Evaluate the Multi-Store Model:
Multi-Store Model AO1:
Multi-Store Model – Representation of how memory works in 3 stores. Describes how information is
transferred from 1 store to another, how it is remembered and forgotten
Sensory Register – Iconic and echoic stores with very brief duration, high capacity. Transfer by
attention.
STM – Limited capacity and duration store. Mainly acoustic coding. Transfer to LTM by rehearsal
LTM – Unlimited capacity and duration, permanent store. Mainly semantic. Created through
maintenance rehearsal.
Evaluation AO3:
Supporting Research Evidence – Studies into coding, capacity and duration demonstrate differences
between STM and LTM
, More than 1 Type of STM – Studies of amnesia (KF) show different STMs for visual and auditory
material.
More than 1 Type of Rehearsal – Elaborative rehearsal necessary for transfer to LTM, not
maintenance rehearsal
Describe and Evaluate Different Types of Long-Term
Memory? (16)
Types of Long-Term Memory AO1:
Episodic Memory – Memory for events in our lives
Semantic Memory – Memory for knowledge of the world, like an encyclopedia and dictionary.
Includes language
Procedural Memory – Memory for automatic and often skilled behaviour
Evaluation AO3:
Clinical Evidence – Clive Wearing and HM damaged episodic memories but semantic and procedural
memories fine.
Neuroimaging Evidence – Episodic and procedural memories recalled from different parts of the
prefrontal cortex
Real-Life Applications – Training programme for adults with mild-cognitive impairments
Describe and Evaluate the Working-Memory Model? (16)
Working Memory Model AO1:
Working-Memory Model – Representation of STM. Suggest STM is dynamic processor of different
types of information using sub-units by central decision-making system
Central Executive – Co-ordinates slave system and allocates resources, very limited storage
Phonological Loop – Auditory information – phonological store and articulatory process
(maintenance rehearsal)
Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad – Visual information – visual cache (store) and inner scribe (spatial
arrangement)
Episodic Buffer – Integrates processing of slave systems and records order of events. Linked to LTM
Evaluation AO3:
Clinical Evidence – KF had poor auditory memory but good visual memory. Damaged PL but VSS fine
Dual-Task Performance – Baddeley - Difficult to do 2 visual tasks at same time, but 1 visual and 1
verbal is okay
