# Cognitive models (of memory)

> IB Psychology · IB Psychology 2027 First Assessment
> Source: https://www.owlsprep.com/study/ib-psychology-cog-cognitive-models-of-memory/

The role of one or more cognitive models in understanding a cognitive process or behaviour.

## Learning objectives

- The role of one or more cognitive models in understanding a cognitive process or behaviour.

## How often is this tested?

Based on OwlsPrep's analysis of official CIE IB_PSYCH P1 past papers (2019–2025): **Cognitive models (of memory)** appears **46 times** in the last 7 years — **20.2%** of all P1 questions (46 of 228).

Most-tested forms: Essay: Discuss (22 marks) (15), SAQ: Describe (9 marks) (14), SAQ (9 marks) (6), Essay: Evaluate (22 marks) (5), SAQ: Outline (9 marks) (4).

## Core concept

A cognitive model is a simplified representation of an unobservable mental process, used to explain and predict behaviour. The multi-store model pictures memory as sensory → short-term → long-term stores; the working-memory model breaks short-term memory into components (a phonological loop, a visuospatial sketchpad, a central executive). Models earn their keep by making predictions that experiments can test.

## Key studies

IB Psychology answers must be supported by named studies. Learn these to cite as evidence:

**Glanzer & Cunitz (1966)** — A delay-filling task removed the recency effect but not the primacy effect in serial recall. — *Dissociates short-term from long-term memory, supporting separate stores (multi-store model).*

**Baddeley, Lewis & Vallar (1984)** — Articulatory suppression removed the phonological-similarity effect, so information was held visually instead. — *Evidence for separable components of working memory (the phonological loop).*

## Evaluation (AO3)

**Strength — testable and productive** — Each model makes specific predictions (serial position, dual-task interference) that experiments confirm or refute.

**Limitation — simplifications** — Models abstract away messy reality and lean on lab tasks and brain-damage cases, so they capture structure better than everyday, meaningful memory.

## Scope

> **note**
>
> Models of memory are the focus here; the dual-processing model of thinking is COG_6, and memory reappears in Learning and cognition.

## Common pitfalls

- **Wrong:** Using a model of memory to answer a 'thinking and decision-making' question (or vice versa).
  - Why it fails: A frequently penalised misconception in IB Psychology exams.
  - Correct: Memory models (multi-store, working memory) explain how information is stored; thinking-and-decision questions want the dual-processing model and biases. Match the model to the process being asked about.

---

From [OwlsPrep](https://www.owlsprep.com) — free study guides for A-Level, IB, AP and IGCSE, written against the official syllabus. Canonical page: https://www.owlsprep.com/study/ib-psychology-cog-cognitive-models-of-memory/