bartletts reconstructive memory

Bartlett's suggestion about memory

Memory is not a tape recording but a reconstruction. It is not perfectly formed, encoded, or retrieved, and recalled memories are unlikely to be exactly the same as the original.

Previous knowledge's effect on memory

Previous knowledge influences how memories are stored or recalled. We actively try to make sense of new information based on past experiences, which may distort memory during reconstruction.

Schema

A schema is a mental structure holding prior knowledge about the world, based on experiences. It is an organized package of information that aids recall through the senses.

Benefits of schemas

Schemas reduce processing power by allowing shortcuts in new situations.

Drawbacks of schemas

They can lead to altered memories, wrong assumptions, or missing important information.

Reason for choosing 'War of the Ghosts' story

It was culturally unfamiliar to participants, lacked rational story order, encouraged visual imagery, and tested how participants perceived supernatural elements.

Method used in 'War of the Ghosts' study

Participants read the story twice and used repeated reproduction, recalling the story over various time lapses, from minutes to years (up to six and a half years).

Three patterns of distortion found in 'War of the Ghosts' study

Confabulation: Adding culturally familiar details (e.g., seals became fish). Levelling: Shortening memories by omitting details (e.g., names were left out). Rationalisation: Changing parts deemed irrational (e.g., 'the youths were at first frightened').

Strength of Bartlett's reconstructive memory theory

It is supported by empirical evidence, such as the 'War of the Ghosts' study, where participants altered the story upon recall (e.g., canoe became boat). This shows memory is subjective rather than objective.

Weakness of Bartlett's theory of reconstructive memory

Wynn and Logie (1998) found less distortion in real-life events. Psychology students recalled their first week at university with minimal information loss after six months, suggesting familiar situations are less prone to reconstruction.