Cognitive models
Comprehensive study guide for IB Psychology
Study Notes
Mark Scheme
SECTION A MARK SCHEME (4 marks) Must Include: • Models operationalize/test theoretical frameworks • MSM: sensory memory → STM → LTM (sequential) • Maintenance rehearsal keeps info in STM • STM capacity is limited (~7±2 items) • Serial position effect as evidence • Primacy effect (rehearsal → LTM) • Recency effect (still in STM)
Link Formula: "The [effect/phenomenon] supports the multi-store model, as it predicts [mechanism] would cause [specific outcome]."
Watch Out: Don't confuse the serial position effect (what happens) with the MSM explanation (why it happens). Show both the phenomenon AND the model's mechanism.
SECTION B MARK SCHEME (6 marks) 0 marks: No relevant knowledge. 1–2 marks: Basic model description; minimal application. 3–4 marks: Model described with some application to scenario. 5–6 marks: Opening correctly frames cognitive models as operationalizable and testable frameworks; all three stores defined with their functions; maintenance rehearsal included; serial position effect explained with separate mechanisms for primacy (rehearsal → LTM) and recency (still in STM); explicit link to scenario.
Why Full Marks
Opening correctly frames cognitive models as operationalizable and testable frameworks; all three stores defined with their functions; maintenance rehearsal included; serial position effect explained with separate mechanisms for primacy (rehearsal → LTM) and recency (still in STM).
Model Answer
Section A Sample Answer
Cognitive models are theoretical frameworks used to represent abstract mental processes, making them operationalizable and testable. The Multi-Store Model (MSM) describes memory as a linear architecture consisting of three stores: sensory memory (which filters stimuli), short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). It emphasizes that maintenance rehearsal is required to prevent the decay or displacement of information in the limited-capacity STM and ensure its encoding into the permanent LTM.
The value of this model is seen in explaining the serial position effect. Research shows that people are better at remembering the first few items (primacy effect) and last few items (recency effect) on a list. The primacy effect occurs because the first items are rehearsed and moved to LTM, while the recency effect occurs because the last items are still in the STM. This demonstrates how the MSM explains memory performance through the distinct capacities and functions of different memory stores.
Section B Sample Answer
Cognitive models are theoretical frameworks that represent mental processes as information-processing systems. The Working Memory Model (WMM) conceptualizes short-term memory as having components like the central executive, visuospatial sketchpad, phonological loop, and the episodic buffer (which integrates multi-modal info). Digital whiteboards in the hub engage the visuospatial sketchpad, while verbal instructions engage the phonological loop. This demonstrates the value of the WMM because it explains why the hub's multi-modal design improves performance — it distributes cognitive load across separate working memory components rather than overloading a single store.