AQA - Topic 2: Memory
Learning Outcomes:
1.) The multi-store model of memory: sensory register, short-term
memory and long-term memory. Features of each store: coding,
capacity and duration.
💡 2.) The working memory model: central executive, phonological loop,
visuo-spatial sketchpad and episodic buffer. Features of the model:
coding and capacity.
3.) Explanations for forgetting: proactive and retroactive interference
and retrieval failure due to absence of cues.
4.) Factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony: leading
questions, post-event discussion, and anxiety; the use of the
cognitive interview.
1.) The multi-store model of memory:
sensory register, short-term memory and
long-term memory. Features of each store:
coding, capacity and duration.
The Multi-Store Memory (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968)
The multi-store model is a structural model which states that memory is made up
of 3 distinct, separate stores:
Sensory register: this is the information at the senses – information collected
by your eyes, ears, nose, fingers & so on
AQA - Topic 2: Memory 1
, Short-term memory (STM)
Long-term memory (LTM)
Analysis Factors for Memory Stores
Each of the stores can be analysed based on three factors:
1. Duration: the amount of time the information can be stored
2. Capacity: how much information can be stored
3. Encoding = Coding: how the information is represented by the memory
system
Information enters the brain via the senses (e.g., eyes, ears). It is then stored
in various forms, such as visual codes (like a picture), acoustic codes
(sounds), semantic codes (the meaning of the experience)
1. Duration
AQA - Topic 2: Memory 2
, Short-Term Memory Long-Term Memory
Sensory Register
(STM) (LTM)
- As a temporary
store, STM only
stores info. briefly.
- Peterson &
Peterson: used
consonant syllables,
prevented verbal
rehearsal, STM
- Hours to years
lasted 18s
- LTM lasts a lot
- If information
longer than STM.
needs to be
Forgetting for the
remembered for
long-term memory
- Fractions of a longer, it has to be
Duration store tends to
second transferred into the
involve a failure of
long-term memory
retrieving the
(LTM).
information that a
- This transfer can
person is seeking in
occur through the
their memory.
repetition of the
information, which is
called maintenance
rehearsal.
- If information in
STM isn't rehearsed,
it decays rapidly and
is forgotten.
Evaluation of Duration
1. Testing STM was artificial
Trying to memorize consonant syllables does not truly reflect most everyday
memory activities where what we are trying to remember is meaningful
2. STM results may be due to displacement
Reitman (1974) used auditory tones instead of numbers so that displacement
wouldn't occur (sounds don't interfere with verbal rehearsal) & found that the
duration was longer in STM
AQA - Topic 2: Memory 3
Learning Outcomes:
1.) The multi-store model of memory: sensory register, short-term
memory and long-term memory. Features of each store: coding,
capacity and duration.
💡 2.) The working memory model: central executive, phonological loop,
visuo-spatial sketchpad and episodic buffer. Features of the model:
coding and capacity.
3.) Explanations for forgetting: proactive and retroactive interference
and retrieval failure due to absence of cues.
4.) Factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony: leading
questions, post-event discussion, and anxiety; the use of the
cognitive interview.
1.) The multi-store model of memory:
sensory register, short-term memory and
long-term memory. Features of each store:
coding, capacity and duration.
The Multi-Store Memory (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968)
The multi-store model is a structural model which states that memory is made up
of 3 distinct, separate stores:
Sensory register: this is the information at the senses – information collected
by your eyes, ears, nose, fingers & so on
AQA - Topic 2: Memory 1
, Short-term memory (STM)
Long-term memory (LTM)
Analysis Factors for Memory Stores
Each of the stores can be analysed based on three factors:
1. Duration: the amount of time the information can be stored
2. Capacity: how much information can be stored
3. Encoding = Coding: how the information is represented by the memory
system
Information enters the brain via the senses (e.g., eyes, ears). It is then stored
in various forms, such as visual codes (like a picture), acoustic codes
(sounds), semantic codes (the meaning of the experience)
1. Duration
AQA - Topic 2: Memory 2
, Short-Term Memory Long-Term Memory
Sensory Register
(STM) (LTM)
- As a temporary
store, STM only
stores info. briefly.
- Peterson &
Peterson: used
consonant syllables,
prevented verbal
rehearsal, STM
- Hours to years
lasted 18s
- LTM lasts a lot
- If information
longer than STM.
needs to be
Forgetting for the
remembered for
long-term memory
- Fractions of a longer, it has to be
Duration store tends to
second transferred into the
involve a failure of
long-term memory
retrieving the
(LTM).
information that a
- This transfer can
person is seeking in
occur through the
their memory.
repetition of the
information, which is
called maintenance
rehearsal.
- If information in
STM isn't rehearsed,
it decays rapidly and
is forgotten.
Evaluation of Duration
1. Testing STM was artificial
Trying to memorize consonant syllables does not truly reflect most everyday
memory activities where what we are trying to remember is meaningful
2. STM results may be due to displacement
Reitman (1974) used auditory tones instead of numbers so that displacement
wouldn't occur (sounds don't interfere with verbal rehearsal) & found that the
duration was longer in STM
AQA - Topic 2: Memory 3
