Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Psychology
Course version: 1PS0 · Version from Sept 2017
Understand the features of short-term and long-term memory, including: a.…
Full specification wording
Memory: 2.1.2 Understand the features of short-term and long-term memory, including: a. duration b. capacity
Short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) differ significantly.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1PS0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 5
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) differ significantly. 'Capacity' refers to how much information a memory store can hold. STM has a limited capacity, typically holding 5 to 9 items (often called the magic number 7 plus or minus 2), like remembering a phone number just long enough to dial it. In contrast, LTM has a theoretically unlimited capacity. 'Duration' refers to how long information remains in the store. STM has a brief duration, lasting up to 30 seconds without rehearsal. LTM can store information for a lifetime, from a few minutes to many decades, such as remembering a childhood home. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for evaluating memory models.
What earns the marks
- State the capacity of short-term memory as approximately 5 to 9 items.
- State the duration of short-term memory as up to 30 seconds without active rehearsal.
- Describe the capacity of long-term memory as theoretically unlimited.
- Describe the duration of long-term memory as potentially lasting a lifetime.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating STM duration is a few minutes.
Put it right: STM duration is strictly up to 30 seconds unless the information is actively rehearsed.
Confusing capacity and duration.
Put it right: Capacity is the amount of information held (e.g., 7 items), while duration is the length of time it is held (e.g., 30 seconds).
Assuming LTM capacity has a measurable limit.
Put it right: LTM capacity is considered theoretically unlimited, as no maximum limit has been identified.
Exam tips
- Memorise the specific numbers for STM: 5 to 9 items for capacity and up to 30 seconds for duration.
- Use the phrase 'theoretically unlimited' when describing the capacity of LTM to show precise understanding.
- When comparing STM and LTM, explicitly use the terms 'capacity' and 'duration' to ensure you address the specific features required.
Try the lesson
The start of the Memory: 2.1.2 Understand the features of short-term and long-term memory, including: a. duration b. capacity lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What is the generally accepted capacity of short-term memory?
Listen
Short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) differ significantly. Capacity' refers to how much information a memory store can hold. STM has a limited capacity, typically holding 5 to 9 items (often called the magic number 7 plus or minus 2), like remembering a phone number just long enough to dial it. In contrast, LTM has a theoretically unlimited capacity. Duration' refers to how long information remains in the store. STM has a brief duration, lasting up to 30 seconds without rehearsal. LTM can store information for a lifetime, from a few minutes to many decades, such as remembering a childhood home. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for evaluating memory models. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State the capacity of short-term memory as approximately 5 to 9 items. State the duration of short-term memory as up to 30 seconds without active rehearsal. Describe the capacity of long-term memory as theoretically unlimited. Describe the duration of long-term memory as potentially lasting a lifetime. A common slip: Stating STM duration is a few minutes. Instead, STM duration is strictly up to 30 seconds unless the information is actively rehearsed. Exam tip: Memorise the specific numbers for STM: 5 to 9 items for capacity and up to 30 seconds for duration.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Capacity
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Duration
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Short-term memory
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Long-term memory
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See every definition
- Capacity
- Refers to how much information a memory store can hold, such as 5 to 9 items in short-term memory.
- Duration
- Refers to how long information remains in the store, such as up to 30 seconds in short-term memory without rehearsal.
- Short-term memory
- A memory store with a limited capacity of 5 to 9 items and a brief duration of up to 30 seconds without rehearsal.
- Long-term memory
- A memory store with a theoretically unlimited capacity and a duration that can last a lifetime.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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