©BRIGHTSTARS EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/23/2024 11:19 PM
Memory Exam Questions And Answers
100% Pass
Identify the main type of coding used in each of the following components of the multi-store model of
memory:
Short term memory
Long term memory
[2 marks] - answer✔Short term memory = acoustic (accept sound or similar).
Long term memory = semantic (accept meaning or similar).
Memory studies are sometimes criticised for being unrealistic. Briefly explain two ways that this
criticism could be addressed in memory research.
[4 marks] - answer✔Researchers could use environments that are natural for participants such as school
classrooms when learning and recalling information
Researchers could ensure that the task are everyday tasks for their participants, such as learning
definitions if they are student participants
Realistic stimuli can be used to recall information such as visual tasks so that they more closely reflect
everyday memory tasks.
, ©BRIGHTSTARS EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/23/2024 11:19 PM
Different methodology/data collection techniques
Zina witnessed a violent incident. The attacker pulled out a knife and threatened the victim. Zina was
close to the attacker and was very frightened and anxious. Her friend, Amanda, was further away and
less anxious. The police took witness statements from both Zina and Amanda. Their statements were
very different.
Using your knowledge of research into the effects of anxiety on eye-witness testimony, explain why
Zina's and Amanda's statements are different.
[4 marks] - answer✔When anxiety/arousal is high, as is the case for Zina, this leads to a decrease in
accuracy/detail compared with Amanda.
This is supported by research, e.g. Johnson and Scott who found that those in the high anxiety condition
were less likely to accurately identify the man.
This is supported by research, e.g. Duffenbacher (1983) meta-analysis found that high levels of anxiety
negatively affected the memory of eyewitnesses.
When anxiety/arousal is high, as is the case for Zina, this leads to increased accuracy/detail compared
with Amanda.
This is supported by research evidence, e.g. Christianson and Hubinette where victims were more
accurate than onlookers.
This is supported by research, e.g. Yuille and Cutshall's study where those witnesses that were close to
the shooting were accurate, even months later.
A psychologist decided to interview both Zina and Amanda five months later to see if they could still
remember the same level of detail about the incident.
Explain one ethical issue the psychologist must consider before interviewing Zina and Amanda.
[2 marks] - answer✔Treating people with respect such as assuring their confidentiality, giving them the
right to withdraw, etc.
, ©BRIGHTSTARS EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/23/2024 11:19 PM
Protection from harm - Zina and Amanda could experience psychological harm from having to recall the
details of the incident again so they could be offered counselling
Informed consent - the psychologist must gain informed consent, so Zina and Amanda are aware that
they will be interviewed about the incident.
Describe and evaluate interference as an explanation for forgetting.
[12 marks] - answer✔*AO1*
Interference is where two lots of information become confused in memory
Proactive interference is where old learning affects recall of new information
Retroactive interference is where new learning affects recall of old information
Newer information may overwrite earlier information
Interference is more likely to occur when the two pieces of information are similar/response
competition
The impact of passage of time/intervening events on forgetting
*AO3*
Use of research evidence to support or contradict the role of interference
Loss of information may only be temporary, therefore interference is not a true explanation for
forgetting
10/23/2024 11:19 PM
Memory Exam Questions And Answers
100% Pass
Identify the main type of coding used in each of the following components of the multi-store model of
memory:
Short term memory
Long term memory
[2 marks] - answer✔Short term memory = acoustic (accept sound or similar).
Long term memory = semantic (accept meaning or similar).
Memory studies are sometimes criticised for being unrealistic. Briefly explain two ways that this
criticism could be addressed in memory research.
[4 marks] - answer✔Researchers could use environments that are natural for participants such as school
classrooms when learning and recalling information
Researchers could ensure that the task are everyday tasks for their participants, such as learning
definitions if they are student participants
Realistic stimuli can be used to recall information such as visual tasks so that they more closely reflect
everyday memory tasks.
, ©BRIGHTSTARS EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/23/2024 11:19 PM
Different methodology/data collection techniques
Zina witnessed a violent incident. The attacker pulled out a knife and threatened the victim. Zina was
close to the attacker and was very frightened and anxious. Her friend, Amanda, was further away and
less anxious. The police took witness statements from both Zina and Amanda. Their statements were
very different.
Using your knowledge of research into the effects of anxiety on eye-witness testimony, explain why
Zina's and Amanda's statements are different.
[4 marks] - answer✔When anxiety/arousal is high, as is the case for Zina, this leads to a decrease in
accuracy/detail compared with Amanda.
This is supported by research, e.g. Johnson and Scott who found that those in the high anxiety condition
were less likely to accurately identify the man.
This is supported by research, e.g. Duffenbacher (1983) meta-analysis found that high levels of anxiety
negatively affected the memory of eyewitnesses.
When anxiety/arousal is high, as is the case for Zina, this leads to increased accuracy/detail compared
with Amanda.
This is supported by research evidence, e.g. Christianson and Hubinette where victims were more
accurate than onlookers.
This is supported by research, e.g. Yuille and Cutshall's study where those witnesses that were close to
the shooting were accurate, even months later.
A psychologist decided to interview both Zina and Amanda five months later to see if they could still
remember the same level of detail about the incident.
Explain one ethical issue the psychologist must consider before interviewing Zina and Amanda.
[2 marks] - answer✔Treating people with respect such as assuring their confidentiality, giving them the
right to withdraw, etc.
, ©BRIGHTSTARS EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/23/2024 11:19 PM
Protection from harm - Zina and Amanda could experience psychological harm from having to recall the
details of the incident again so they could be offered counselling
Informed consent - the psychologist must gain informed consent, so Zina and Amanda are aware that
they will be interviewed about the incident.
Describe and evaluate interference as an explanation for forgetting.
[12 marks] - answer✔*AO1*
Interference is where two lots of information become confused in memory
Proactive interference is where old learning affects recall of new information
Retroactive interference is where new learning affects recall of old information
Newer information may overwrite earlier information
Interference is more likely to occur when the two pieces of information are similar/response
competition
The impact of passage of time/intervening events on forgetting
*AO3*
Use of research evidence to support or contradict the role of interference
Loss of information may only be temporary, therefore interference is not a true explanation for
forgetting
