Psychology · Year 10 · Memory and Cognition · 1.º Período

Structures of Memory

This topic introduces the Multi-store model of memory, distinguishing between sensory, short-term, and long-term memory. Students will analyse the capacity and duration of each store.

TL;DR:The Multi-store model (MSM) is a cornerstone of cognitive psychology, providing a structural framework for understanding memory. Students learn to distinguish between the sensory register, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). The focus is on the specific characteristics of each store: how much it can hold (capacity), how long it lasts (duration), and how it is encoded.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• GCSE Psychology (AQA) 3.1.1.2: Structures of memory
• GCSE Psychology (Edexcel) 1.1.2: Features of short-term and long-term memory

About This Topic

The Multi-store model (MSM) is a cornerstone of cognitive psychology, providing a structural framework for understanding memory. Students learn to distinguish between the sensory register, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). The focus is on the specific characteristics of each store: how much it can hold (capacity), how long it lasts (duration), and how it is encoded.

This topic is vital for GCSE students as it introduces the idea of linear information flow and the importance of rehearsal. It sets the stage for evaluating the strengths and limitations of theoretical models. Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation of how information moves between the stores.

Key Questions

1. What is the Multi-store model?
2. How long does short-term memory last?
3. How does information move to long-term memory?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Short-term memory and long-term memory are the same thing.

What to Teach Instead

They have very different capacities and durations; STM is limited to about 7 items, while LTM is potentially infinite. Using a 'sorting' activity where students categorise memory tasks helps clarify these distinctions.

Common Misconception

Information stays in the sensory register for several minutes.

What to Teach Instead

Sensory memory actually lasts for less than a second. A quick visual 'sparkler' demonstration or a rapid-fire image task helps students physically experience the fleeting nature of sensory storage.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game

The Human Memory Chain

Students act as different memory stores. One student (Sensory) receives a 'flash' of info, passes a small part to the next (STM), who must 'rehearse' it aloud to keep it before passing it to the final student (LTM).

20 min·Whole Class

Peer Teaching

Capacity and Duration

Divide the class into three groups: Sensory, STM, and LTM. Each group researches the capacity, duration, and encoding of their store and then teaches the other groups using a visual aid they created.

40 min·Small Groups

Concept Mapping

Collaborative Problem Solving: The Case of HM

Students are given the case study of Henry Molaison (HM). They must work in groups to identify which parts of the Multi-store model were damaged and which remained intact, using the evidence to support their claims.

30 min·Small Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capacity of short-term memory?

According to Miller, the capacity of short-term memory is approximately 7 items, plus or minus 2. This can be increased through 'chunking,' where individual pieces of information are grouped together into larger, meaningful units.

How does information move from STM to LTM?

In the Multi-store model, the primary mechanism for moving information into long-term memory is prolonged rehearsal. The more an item is repeated in the short-term store, the more likely it is to be transferred to permanent storage.

Why is the Multi-store model criticised?

Critics argue the model is too simplistic. For example, it suggests that LTM is a single store, but we now know there are different types of LTM, such as episodic and procedural. It also overemphasises the role of rehearsal in memory.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching the Multi-store model?

Physical simulations where students 'pass' information through different stations are highly effective. Using 'capacity buckets' to show how much info each store can hold also provides a visual and tactile way to understand the limitations of STM versus LTM.