Mental Schema Theory ERQ

What are mental schemas?

Cognitive frameworks that help organize and rationalize knowledge, beliefs, and expectations about the world based on prior experiences.

Three types of schemas

1. Self schema – beliefs about oneself.

2. Social schema – expectations about others' behavior.

3. Script schema – expectations about specific contexts or events.

What was the aim of Bartlett’s (1932) study?

To investigate how memory of a story is influenced by schemas.

What story did Bartlett use in his study?

"War of the Ghosts," an American folk story.

What were the two conditions in Bartlett’s study?

1. Repeated reproduction – participants recalled the story multiple times.

2. Serial reproduction – the story was passed from one participant to another.

What schema processes were observed in Bartlett’s study?

• Assimilation: Changes to fit British cultural norms.

• Leveling: Omission of irrelevant details.

• Sharpening: Addition or exaggeration of certain elements.

What were two strengths of Bartlett’s study?

1. Empirical support for schema processes.

2. High internal validity from controlled design.

What were two weaknesses of Bartlett’s study?

1. Low generalizability (British-only sample).

2. Low ecological validity (artificial memory task).

What was the aim of Loftus and Palmer’s study?

To examine how leading questions affect memory reconstruction.

What method was used in Loftus and Palmer’s study?

Participants watched car crash videos and answered speed-related questions using different verbs (e.g., smashed, hit).

What schema process was demonstrated in Loftus and Palmer’s findings?

Assimilation – responses aligned with the expectations implied by the leading verb.

What were two strengths of Loftus and Palmer’s study?

• Demonstrated schema influence on memory reconstruction.

• Controlled experimental design.

What were two weaknesses of Loftus and Palmer’s study?

• Artificial task (low ecological validity).

• Sample bias (only students).

How is schema theory applied to understanding depression?

Beck’s Negative Cognitive Triad suggests that negative schemas about the self, others, and the future contribute to depression.

What are examples of negative schemas in depression?

• Self-schema: Feeling flawed or inadequate.

• Social schema: Belief that the world is hostile or unfair.

What is a major limitation of schema theory regarding measurement?

Schemas are intangible and cannot be directly observed, making scientific measurement difficult.

What was Cohen’s critique of schema theory?

Schemas are too vague and lack detailed explanations of their formation and functioning.

What therapy is based on schema theory?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – identifies and reframes negative schemas to improve mental health.

What are the three processes involved in schema theory?

1. Assimilation – Aligning new information with existing schemas or culture.

2. Leveling – Omitting information irrelevant to expectations.

3. Sharpening – Exaggerating or adding details to match schemas better.

What were the key findings of Loftus and Palmer’s study?

More intense verbs (e.g., "smashed") led to higher speed estimates; wording influenced memory reconstruction.