Memory

The information
processing approach
Stages of memory
including short-term
memory (STM) and
long-term memory
(LTM)
Use of computer analogy
(flow diagram)
Understanding
hardware/software
distinction
Use memory experiments
to illustrate the stages of
memory. E.g. serial
position curve, Brown-
Peterson technique. There
are many more.
Bar charts and
histograms
Use bar charts and
histograms to illustrate
evidence from e.g.
Peterson and Peterson
(1959) (see week 12).
11 Atkinson and
Shiffrin’s Multi-store
Model of Memory
(MSM) (1968)
Describe and evaluate
MSM with both
supporting and
contradictory evidence.
Miller The Magical Number
Seven+/-2
Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)
Murdoch (1962)
Normal distribution,
percentages and
fractions
Normal distribution: use
data from a memory
experiment to show
distribution and introduce
the concept of normal
distribution, percentages
and fractions.
12 Experiments as a
research method
Study: Peterson and
Peterson (1959)
Define an ‘experiment’ –
i.e. the key features –
and differentiate between
methods.
Peterson and Peterson
(1959) study: use APFC
framework for description
then evaluate using
strengths and
weaknesses.
Build on experience from
class experiments run over
the previous two weeks to
introduce the experiment as
a method with evaluation of
the different types (i.e. lab,
field, natural).
Ask students to suggest
ways to make traditional
memory experiments more
realistic, e.g. make a
shopping list of things they
may need to buy/acquire
when setting up a new flat
for themselves.
GCSE Psychology 2017 – Scheme of Work
6 © Pearson Education Ltd 2017.
13 Bartlett’s Theory of
Reconstructive
Memory (1932),
including description,
evidence and
evaluation
Components of Bartlett’s
theory Contrast with
MSM, which emphasises
structure whereas
Bartlett emphasises
process
Read a story that students
will be required to
…