Atkinson and Shiffrin’s MSM is over 50 years old yet it’s still in every introduction to Psychology textbook and still influences modern psychologists. But it’s not without its critics. This post will examine some of their critiques. Because the MSM was so popular, it received a lot of criticism. But “…criticism could itself be viewed as a success, given the …
Key Study: Levels of Processing (Craik and Tulving, 1975)
Background Information The multi-store model of memory (MSM), while straightforward, seemingly common sense, and with plenty of empirical support, is not without its limitations. Do you really need to pay attention to, and rehearse, all sensory information in order for it to be transferred to your long-term memory? Take, for instance, experiences of traumatic or emotionally shocking events (e.g. Flashbulb …
The multi-store model of memory (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968)
50 years later and Atkinson and Shiffrin’s multi-store model of memory (aka the modal model) is still relevant today. This post summarizes the model in more detail than most introductory Psychology textbooks, which will give you the chance to distinguish your explanations from the rest. Background The multi-store model of memory (the MSM) is a product of the cognitive revolution …
MUST READ: IB Psych IAs are now marked differently
The first rule of IB examining is don’t talk about IB examining. I have broken this rule before by sharing valuable information with everyone (on the IB platform) and was kicked off marking. Watch video. I’ve waited patiently to see if the shocking change in the IB’s marking of IAs was reported in this year’s subject reports. It was so …
The answer to every question in psychology
I’m about to tell you the answer to every essay question in IB Psychology. It’s a simple two word answer. WARNING: you’re probably not going to like the answer. It may frustrate or disappoint you. You might think this is useless and no help whatsoever. If that’s your reaction, then you’re not ready for the IB Psychology exams. Or at …
The Prefrontal Cortex and Stress
The following information didn’t quite make the final cut of our new eBook: “Stress: A Student’s Guide to IB Health Psychology.” The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is important in stress because it’s connected with the amygdala through numerous neural networks. The PFC can increase or decrease amygdala activity depending on the thoughts generated by the PFC (i.e. how threatening we think …
Key study: Subjective social status and stress (Steen et al. 2020)
The following is adapted from our latest book for IB Health Psychology about Stress. Social status is correlated with numerous physical and mental health problems, including stress. Socioeconomic status (SES) is the most commonly studied and it’s a type of social status measured by income, education, and employment. However, when studying stress and teenagers subjective social status might be more relevant. This …
Exam Wheel of Fortune: IB Health Psychology
Click the wheel to get a practice question for IB Health Psychology. Use this for quick review by writing down the example/s and studies you would use if this came up in an exam. Travis DixonTravis Dixon is an IB Psychology teacher, author, workshop leader, examiner and IA moderator.
Key Studies: Workplace stress, status and the Whitehall Studies
This material was in the first draft of “Stress: A Student’s Guide to IB Health Psychology.” It was removed from the final edition in favour of studies about teenagers. The information is here instead as extra optional content for extended and/or interested students. Executive Stress Syndrome Hypothesis In the 1950s and 1960s, psychologists thought that high-ranking individuals had higher stress. …
How stress can kill: The HPA Axis & Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
This material was in the first draft of “Stress: A Student’s Guide to IB Health Psychology.” It was removed from the final edition and the information is here instead as extra optional content for extended and/or interested students. What is stress? In laboratory experiments stress can also be measured in multiple ways, including physiological responses to the Trier Social Stress …