Edexcel IAS Psychology Multi-Store Model of Memory

What is the primary encoding method used in short-term memory?

• Semantic encoding

• Acoustic encoding

• Visual encoding

• Olfactory encoding

Answer explanation

The primary encoding method in short-term memory is acoustic encoding, which involves processing information based on sound. This is crucial for tasks like remembering phone numbers or verbal instructions.

According to the multi-store model, what is the capacity of short-term memory?

• Unlimited

• 5 items

• 20 items

• 7 plus or minus 2 items

Answer explanation

According to the multi-store model, short-term memory has a capacity of 7 plus or minus 2 items, as proposed by psychologist George A. Miller. This means it can typically hold between 5 to 9 items at a time.

Which of the following is a key criticism of the multi-store model?

• It overemphasizes the role of rehearsal

• It accurately describes all memory processes

• It ignores the role of sensory memory

• It includes too many memory stores

Answer explanation

A key criticism of the multi-store model is that it overemphasizes the role of rehearsal in memory processes, suggesting that rehearsal is more crucial than it may actually be in the formation and retrieval of memories.

What is the duration of information in the short-term memory store?

• A lifetime

• A few seconds

• 15-30 seconds

• Several minutes

Answer explanation

Short-term memory typically retains information for about 15-30 seconds. This duration allows for temporary storage and processing of information before it either decays or is transferred to long-term memory.

Which experiment demonstrated the serial position effect?

• Miller (1956)

• Peterson and Peterson (1959)

• Baddeley (1966b)

• Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)

Answer explanation

The serial position effect, which shows that people remember the first and last items in a list better than the middle items, was demonstrated by Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) through their experiments on memory recall.

What is the primary encoding method used in long-term memory?

• Tactile encoding

• Visual encoding

• Semantic encoding

• Acoustic encoding

Answer explanation

Semantic encoding is the primary method for encoding information in long-term memory, as it involves processing the meaning of information, making it easier to store and retrieve compared to other methods like visual or acoustic encoding.

Which case study is often cited to support the distinction between short-term and long-term memory?

• Clive Wearing

• Jean Piaget

• Sigmund Freud

• Ivan Pavlov

Answer explanation

Clive Wearing is a well-known case study in psychology, illustrating the distinction between short-term and long-term memory. His profound amnesia highlights how short-term memory can function independently from long-term memory.

What is the term for the effect where similar sounding words are confused in short-term memory?

• Semantic similarity effect

• Phonological similarity effect

• Visual similarity effect

• Tactile similarity effect

Answer explanation

The phonological similarity effect refers to the tendency to confuse similar-sounding words in short-term memory. This effect highlights how auditory similarities can impact memory recall, making 'phonological similarity effect' the correct choice.

Which of the following is NOT a component of the multi-store model of memory?

• Procedural memory store

• Long-term store

• Short-term store

• Sensory register

Answer explanation

The multi-store model of memory includes the sensory register, short-term store, and long-term store. Procedural memory store is a type of long-term memory but not a component of the multi-store model.

What is the potential duration of long-term memory according to the multi-store model?

• Several minutes

• 15-30 seconds

• A few hours

• A lifetime

Answer explanation

According to the multi-store model, long-term memory can last a lifetime, allowing for the storage of information over extended periods, unlike short-term memory which lasts only seconds to minutes.