Memory Models and Processes
Compare structural, working and reconstructive accounts of encoding, storage, retrieval, forgetting and distortion.
How to study A-level Psychology
For every claim, identify the mechanism, supporting evidence, method, alternative explanation, practical implication and justified conclusion.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Multi-store and working-memory models represent different structures and processes and generate different predictions about short- and long-term performance.
Exam cue: Use the named component or process to explain the observed pattern.
Concept 2
Encoding specificity, interference, retrieval failure and reconstructive processes explain forgetting or distortion through different mechanisms.
Exam cue: Compare models on explanatory scope and evidence, not age alone.
Concept 3
Controlled experiments, neuropsychological cases, eyewitness studies and everyday memory research contribute complementary evidence with different limits.
Exam cue: Apply memory evidence cautiously to interviewing, education or everyday recall.
Targeted study blocks
Multi-board knowledge
Secure the shared psychological core
Learn memory as a shared cognitive area through models, processes, evidence and application; exact named studies remain board-specific.
Scientific reasoning
Use evidence before reaching a judgement
Use converging behavioural and biological evidence, then test task artificiality, individual differences and whether the data distinguish competing models.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Treating short-term memory as one unlimited store.
Guardrail: Do not memorise a study as an isolated story or assume that one board's named research and option choices apply nationally.
Assuming inaccurate recall means the witness is deliberately dishonest.
Guardrail: Do not memorise a study as an isolated story or assume that one board's named research and option choices apply nationally.
Using one unusual case as sufficient proof of a universal model.
Guardrail: Do not memorise a study as an isolated story or assume that one board's named research and option choices apply nationally.
Memory anchors
Encoding
Encoding converts information into a form that can be processed or stored.
Retrieval
Retrieval accesses stored information for current use.
Working memory
Working memory coordinates limited-capacity systems used in active processing.
Interference
Interference occurs when competing learning disrupts recall.
Reconstructive memory
Reconstructive memory rebuilds recall using stored detail, schemas and later information.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
In the multi-store model, what moves information from sensory register toward short-term memory?
According to the multi-store model, what supports transfer from short-term to long-term memory?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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