This mini-lesson covers the Edexcel Memory topic: the information-processing approach, the multi-store model, Bartlett's theory of reconstructive memory (the War of the Ghosts key study), and factors affecting the accuracy of memory.
Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Every fact here is anchored to a named study or theory on the Edexcel GCSE Psychology (1PS0) Memory topic. Press Start when you're ready.
Memory · processing
The information-processing model
Psychologists compare memory to a computer: information is input, processed and output.
Encoding — turning information into a usable form (visual, acoustic, semantic).
Storage — holding it over time.
Retrieval — getting it back when needed.
Key idea: problems can happen at any stage — poor encoding, decayed storage or failed retrieval.
Quick check
Which process?
?A student can't remember an answer in an exam but recognises it instantly afterwards. This is a problem at which stage?
Memory · multi-store model
The multi-store model
The multi-store model (Atkinson & Shiffrin) describes three stores:
Sensory memory — very brief; lost unless we pay attention.
Short-term memory (STM) — limited capacity (about 7 items) and short duration (around 18–30s); kept going by rehearsal.
Long-term memory (LTM) — huge capacity and long duration.
Evaluation: supported by evidence, but criticised for treating STM and LTM as single, simple stores.
Quick check
Capacity of STM
?According to the multi-store model, roughly how many items can short-term memory hold?
Memory · reconstructive memory
Bartlett: reconstructive memory
The Edexcel theory here is Bartlett's reconstructive memory: we don't record memories exactly — we rebuild them using our schemas (existing knowledge).
War of the Ghosts (key study): British participants read an unfamiliar Native American story, then retold it over time.
They shortened it, dropped unfamiliar details and changed parts to fit their own culture.
This showed memory is reconstructive and shaped by expectations, not a perfect recording.
Sort it
Sort the memory stores
Tap a feature, then tap the store it best describes. (Some belong to all three.)
🔁 All three stores
⏳ Short-term memory
📚 Long-term memory
Quick check
Bartlett's study
?In Bartlett's War of the Ghosts study, participants changed the story to fit their own culture. This supports the idea that memory is:
Memory · accuracy
Factors affecting accuracy
Edexcel asks about what makes memory inaccurate:
Reconstruction — schemas fill gaps with what we expect (Bartlett).
Interference — similar memories disrupt each other.
Context and cues — recall improves when retrieval matches the original setting.
This has real-world importance for eyewitness testimony, which can be unreliable.
Match it
Match the memory idea
Tap a description on the left, then its matching term on the right.
Statement
Answer
Quick check
Applying reconstructive memory
?Reconstructive memory helps explain why eyewitness testimony can be unreliable because witnesses:
Memory · evaluation
Evaluating the multi-store model
The model is useful but limited:
Strength: supported by evidence and easy to understand.
Weakness: treats STM and LTM as single stores, which is too simple.
Weakness: over-emphasises rehearsal as the only route to LTM.
Memory · eyewitness testimony
Reconstructive memory & eyewitnesses
Bartlett's ideas matter in the real world:
Because memory is reconstructed, witnesses can confidently recall things that never happened.
Leading questions and later information can distort recall.
This is why eyewitness evidence must be treated with caution in court.