GCSEPsychologyAQAExam QuestionsMemoryProcesses of Memory

Processes of Memory (AQA GCSE Psychology): Exam Questions

Exam code: 8182

34 mins12 questions
1
3 marks

Ivan was a participant in the study. The researcher asked Ivan about a primary school camping trip to Snowdonia. Ivan remembered that Snowdonia is in Wales. He also recalled celebrating his best friend’s birthday during the trip and learning to paddle a canoe. As an adult, he still enjoys paddling a canoe on a nearby lake.

Episodic, procedural and semantic are different types of long-term memory.

Identify one example of each type from Ivan’s discussion about his school trip.

How did you do?

2
1 mark

Which of the following describes semantic memory?

Choose one correct answer.

  • It contains events that have occurred in our lives

  • It helps us carry out physical actions

  • It retains information for approximately 30 seconds

  • It stores facts about general knowledge and meanings

Choose your answer

3
2 marks

What is meant by ‘encoding’ as a process of memory?

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4a
1 mark

Which one of these is a description of retrieval? Choose one correct answer.

  • Changing information so that it can be stored in memory

  • Forgetting information

  • Holding information in memory

  • Recalling information

Choose your answer

4b
1 mark

Which one of these is a description of episodic memory? Choose one correct answer.

  • A memory of a personal experience

  • A memory that lasts for a few seconds

  • Remembering factual information

  • Remembering how to do something

Choose your answer

5
3 marks

In a memory study, participants were shown an image of a red fire engine, heard a siren, and identified the vehicle as an emergency service vehicle that helps people.

Identify one example of each of the following types of encoding from this scenario.

Visual encoding: _______________________________

Acoustic encoding: _____________________________

Semantic encoding: _____________________________

How did you do?

6
2 marks

What is meant by ‘retrieval’ as a process of memory?

How did you do?

7
4 marks

Read the following conversation.

Aleksy and Taaliah are talking about their memories of primary school.

Aleksy: “I recall getting dressed for my first day at school. I felt very smart in my school uniform and kept asking my mum to take photos of me.”

Taaliah: “I recall finding out about volcanoes in Year Four. I can still name the different parts of a volcano.”

Outline one type of long-term memory.

Identify an example of this type of long-term memory from the conversation between Aleksy and Taaliah. Justify your answer.

How did you do?

8a
6 marks

Read the following article.

TJ had a cycling accident which caused brain damage. He now suffers from some memory loss. He cannot recall what he ate or was wearing the day before. He remembers that London is the capital of England and that the Eiffel Tower is in Paris. TJ has also not forgotten how to play the piano and he can still ride his bike.

Use the article to identify two examples of procedural memory, two examples of semantic memory and two examples of episodic memory.

Write your answers in the correct boxes.

Procedural memory

Semantic memory

Episodic memory

Example 1

Example 2

How did you do?

8b
3 marks

Psychologists sometimes study unique individuals like TJ using a case study.

Briefly evaluate the use of case studies in psychological research.

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9
2 marks

What is meant by ‘storage’ as a process of memory?

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10
4 marks

Read the following information.

Libby and Yasir are talking about how they plan to revise for a Biology test.

Libby: “I will start with a list of the key terms I need to learn. I will look up what each one means in my textbook and write down a definition for each key term.”

Yasir: “I will draw pictures and diagrams of what I need to learn. This helps me to remember information.”

Outline the process of encoding. Refer to Libby and Yasir’s conversation in your answer.

How did you do?

11
1 mark

Which is the best example of information that would be stored as procedural memory?

  • How many millilitres there are in a litre.

  • How to play a piece of music on the piano.

  • The colours used in the Italian flag.

  • What happened on your first day at secondary school.

Choose your answer

12
1 mark

Ben can list all of the planets in our solar system. What type of memory does Ben use to recall his list of planets?

  • Episodic

  • Procedural

  • Reconstructive

  • Semantic

Choose your answer