Multi-store Model of Memory & Types of Long-Term Memory (AQA A Level Psychology): Exam Questions

1 hour14 questions
13 marks

Which type of long-term memory would be most associated with the following?

Write the correct type of long-term memory in the spaces provided.

  1. Stored, with reference to contextual information, e.g. time and place

  2. Difficult to describe in words

  3. Knowing the meaning of a word

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22 marks

Outline two types of long-term memory.

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32 marks

Molly wants to memorise her new phone number but she finds it very difficult to remember all 11 digits: after about six digits she forgets what comes next. ‘Why don’t you try chunking the numbers together?’ her friend Milly advises, ‘You’ll probably find that you are able to remember your new number quite easily if you do that’.

With reference to the capacity of short-term memory, explain why Molly is experiencing difficulties trying to memorise her number.

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42 marks

Briefly outline one way in which researchers have investigated the capacity of short-term memory.

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52 marks

Briefly outline one way in which researchers have investigated the duration of short-term memory.

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6a2 marks

Two groups of participants took part in a memory experiment. The researcher read 20 words to the participants.

  • Participants in Group A had to write down the words immediately after they had heard them.

  • Participants in Group B had to write down the words after they had read a book for one minute.

The researcher noticed that:

  • participants in Group A generally recalled words from the beginning and the end of the list

  • participants in Group B generally recalled words from the beginning of the list only.

Outline what is meant by standardisation and suggest one way standardisation could have been used in this experiment.

6b2 marks

Outline what is meant by randomisation and suggest one way randomisation could have been used in this experiment.

6c4 marks

Explain the results of this experiment with reference to the multi-store model of memory.

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1a2 marks

Dr Lookback has conducted a meta-analysis of studies into gender differences in semantic memory. Her findings are shown in the table below:

 Table 1. Results of meta-analysis into gender differences in semantic memory

Total number of studies analysed

Studies supporting a gender difference in semantic memory

Studies challenging a gender difference in semantic memory

86

44

22

Using the data in Table 1, calculate the ratio of the number of studies which challenge gender differences in semantic memory to the total number of studies in the meta-analysis.

1b2 marks

With reference to Dr Lookback’s study above, explain what the findings suggest about gender differences in semantic memory.  

1c4 marks

With reference to Dr Lookback’s study above, explain one strength and one limitation of using a meta-analysis and to measure gender differences in semantic memory.

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24 marks

Two types of long-term memory are procedural memory and episodic memory.

Explain two differences between procedural memory and episodic memory.

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34 marks

In an investigation into memory, participants were presented with two different lists of words. 

List A

List B

Flip

Flit

Flop

Flap

Flab

Flan

Flat

Huge

Large

Great

Giant

Vast

Mighty

Epic

After seeing the lists, participants were tested on their ability to recall the words.

When tested immediately, participants found it more difficult to recall the words from List A in the correct order.

When tested after 30 minutes, participants found it more difficult to recall the words from List B in the correct order.

Using your knowledge of coding in memory, explain these findings.

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44 marks

Professor Marsh investigated his hypothesis that eating marshmallows before taking a memory test would significantly improve STM memory capacity. These are the results showing the test scores out of 20 per participant:

Table 2 . Memory test scores before and after eating marshmallows

Participant

Marshmallows before test

No marshmallows 

Difference

Sign of difference

1

17

9

 

 

2

7

18

 

 

3

18

20

 

 

4

7

4

 

 

5

11

3

 

 

6

17

16

 

 

7

13

15

 

 

8

6

16

 

 

9

14

10

 

 

Using the data in Table 2, calculate the value of S using the Sign Test.

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54 marks

Complete the missing parts of the table, A, B, C and D, in relation to features of the multi-store model of memory.

Capacity

Duration

Coding

Sensory register

A

250 milliseconds

Modality specific

Short-term memory

7 +/- 2

B

C

Long-term memory

Unlimited

Potentially forever

D

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16 marks

Outline episodic memory. Outline one strength and one limitation of using a case study to investigate episodic memory in LTM.

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28 marks

Outline and evaluate research into duration in memory.

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316 marks

Most PIN codes are 4 digits long and are easy to remember. In contrast, mobile phone numbers are 11 digits long. Most people would not be able to remember a friend’s new mobile phone number unless they were able to say it to themselves several times without interruption.

Discuss the multi-store model of memory.  Refer to the information above in your answer.

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