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Psychology Revision Guides
A-Level Revision Aid: This resource is designed to support your revision and may contain errors. If you find a discrepancy with your class teaching, your teacher is correct — please let us know at alevelrevise@scott.scottrix.co.uk.

PY1: Social Influence and Memory Models

Year 1 / ASYear 2 / A-Level All Boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, CCEA) AQA

Conformity (Asch), obedience (Milgram), Multi-Store Model (Atkinson-Shiffrin), Working Memory Model (Baddeley & Hitch), eyewitness testimony.

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📋 Key Definitions and Core Concepts

Conformity: A change in a person's behaviour or opinion as a result of real or imagined group pressure (NSI vs ISI).
Working Memory Model: Multi-component active memory model comprising Central Executive, Phonological Loop, Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad, Episodic Buffer.

🔍 Key Principles & Specification Requirements

  • Asch's line experiment: 75% conformed at least once; variables: group size (peaks at 3 confederates), unanimity, task difficulty.
  • Milgram's obedience: 65% administered full 450V lethal shock; situational variables: proximity, uniform, location.
  • Loftus and Palmer: misleading post-event information (leading verbs: 'smashed' vs 'hit') significantly alters eyewitness memory reconstruction.

💡 Worked Example Question

Exam-Style Question

Question:

Evaluate the Working Memory Model compared to the Multi-Store Model of memory.

Model Solution & Mark Scheme:

Strengths: Supported by dual-task performance studies (Baddeley) showing concurrent visual and verbal tasks perform well, proving separate slave systems. Clinical evidence from patient KF (impaired verbal memory but intact visual memory).
Limitations: The Central Executive is poorly specified and vague ('the most important but least understood component'). Does not fully account for long-term memory interactions.

❓ Practice Questions & Mark Schemes

Q1: Explain the significance of Social Influence and Memory Models in A-Level examination contexts.

Show Model Answer

Answer: Demonstrate clear conceptual understanding of Social Influence and Memory Models, defining core terminology and citing relevant principles or case examples.

Q2: Evaluate key arguments or methodologies concerning Social Influence and Memory Models.

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Answer: Contrast competing perspectives, discuss empirical evidence or theoretical limitations, and synthesize a balanced, well-reasoned conclusion.

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