LTM Duration Key Study

Question 1

Key study -duration of memory LTM Description (AO1)

Answer 1

Bahrick et al studied the duration of memory where they had tested 400 PPs from the ages of 17-74 and asked them to identify names of students from their year book they had 2 options :
1.free recall - name anyone
2.photos to name (photo recognition)
Photo recognition:Those who were tested within 15 years of graduation were 90% accurate and after 48 years 70% accurate
Free recall:those who were tested within 15 years of graduation were 60% accurate and after 48 years 30% accurate
This study shows that even after a long duration of time memories can still be held therefore shows that LTM is limitless

Question 2

Key study -duration of memory LTM Evaluation(AO3)strength

Answer 2

P-one strength of the Bahrick et al study is that its generalised to the wider population
E- evidence for this is that the age of PPs were from a range of 17-74 which shows all members of society were included in the study
E- this suggests that the study results can be applied to everyone and can be generalised which shows it’s representative

Question 3

Key study -duration of memory LTM Evaluation(AO3) weakness

Answer 3

P-however one weakness of the study is that it doesn’t test for the duration of LTM
E-evidence for this is it just shows over the period of 15 and 48 years how many names they remember from a yearbook
E-this shows that the study lacks internal validity