How do I revise E2E stub topic for Edexcel GCSE?

Use the multi-store model as a framework to structure answers about memory processes.

What exam tips are there for E2E stub topic? (2)

Always link evaluation points to supporting or challenging evidence (e.g., cases like Clive Wearing).

What mistakes should I avoid in E2E stub topic?

Confusing capacity with duration, e.g., thinking STM has unlimited capacity.

What are common errors in E2E stub topic exams? (2)

Believing all sensory information automatically enters STM, rather than requiring attention.

E2E stub topic

EDEXCEL

GCSE

The multi-store model of memory, proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin, describes memory as consisting of three distinct stores: sensory register, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Information moves from sensory to short-term memory through attention, and from short-term to long-term via rehearsal. This model is fundamental for understanding how memory works and has practical applications in education and eyewitness testimony.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for correctly identifying the three separate memory stores (sensory register, STM, LTM).
Credit for accurately stating the limited capacity and duration of STM (e.g., 7±2 chunks, 18-30 seconds).
Expect reference to rehearsal as the mechanism for transferring information from STM to LTM.
Look for evaluation points supported by evidence, such as patient studies (e.g., HM) or primacy-recency effects.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for correctly identifying the three separate memory stores (sensory register, STM, LTM).
Credit for accurately stating the limited capacity and duration of STM (e.g., 7±2 chunks, 18-30 seconds).
Expect reference to rehearsal as the mechanism for transferring information from STM to LTM.
Look for evaluation points supported by evidence, such as patient studies (e.g., HM) or primacy-recency effects.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Use the multi-store model as a framework to structure answers about memory processes.
💡Always link evaluation points to supporting or challenging evidence (e.g., cases like Clive Wearing).

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing capacity with duration, e.g., thinking STM has unlimited capacity.
Believing all sensory information automatically enters STM, rather than requiring attention.
Assuming LTM stores exact copies of experiences, forgetting the role of reconstruction.

Study Guide Available

Comprehensive revision notes & examples

Read Study Guide

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Sensory memory, short-term memory, long-term memory

Attention and rehearsal processes

Encoding, capacity, and duration

Model evaluation and evidence

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

E2E stub topic

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Study Guide Available

Key Terminology

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in EDEXCEL GCSE Psychology

Topic 1: Development – How did you develop?

Topic 10: Language, thought and communication – How do you communicate with others?

Topic 11: Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research?

Topic 2: Memory – How does your memory work?