Paper 1 (Memory) AS level psychology AQA

Multi-Store Model

model proposing memory consists of three separate stores — sensory register, short-term memory and long-term memory — through which information passes sequentially.

Sensory Register

The first memory store, holding large amounts of information from the senses for a very brief duration — less than a second.

Short-Term Memory

A temporary memory store with limited capacity of 5-9 items and duration of 18–30 seconds, encoding information acoustically.

Long-Term Memory

A permanent memory store with potentially unlimited capacity and duration, encoding information semantically.

Encoding

The format in which information is stored in memory — acoustic, visual or semantic.

Capacity

The amount of information a memory store can hold.

Duration

The length of time information can be held in a memory store.

Chunking

Organising information into meaningful units to increase the capacity of STM, as identified by Miller.

Working Memory Model

model proposing STM is an active, multi-component system comprising the central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad and episodic buffer.

Central Executive

The controlling component of the working memory model — directs attention and coordinates the slave systems.

Phonological Loop

The component of working memory that processes auditory and verbal information, divided into the phonological store and articulatory process.

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad

The component of working memory that processes visual and spatial information.

Episodic Buffer

A component added by Baddeley that integrates information from the other components and links working memory to long-term memory

Episodic Memory

A type of long-term memory storing personal experiences and autobiographical events.

Semantic Memory

A type of long-term memory storing general knowledge and facts about the world.

Procedural Memory

A type of long-term memory storing how to perform skills and actions, such as riding a bike.

Interference

Forgetting caused by other memories disrupting recall — proactive interference (old memories interfere with new) or retroactive interference (new memories interfere with old).

Proactive Interference

When older memories interfere with the recall of newer memories.

Retroactive Interference

When newer memories interfere with the recall of older memories.

Anxiety

In the context of eyewitness testimony, high anxiety can impair recall of peripheral details but may enhance memory for central details — linked to the weapon focus effect.

Weapon Focus Effect

The tendency for eyewitnesses to focus on a weapon during a crime, impairing recall of other details such as the perpetrator's appearance.

Leading Question

A question that suggests a particular answer, which can distort eyewitness memory — demonstrated by Loftus and Palmer's car crash study.

Cognitive Interview

A police interviewing technique based on memory research, using mental reinstatement of context, reporting everything, changing order and changing perspective to enhance recall.