Reconstructive Memory ERQ

What is memory in cognitive psychology?

Cognitive process responsible for encoding, storing, and retrieving information.

What is reconstructive memory theory according to Bartlett?

It is the idea that memory is not an exact snapshot of events but a reconstructive process influenced by schemas and external information.

How do schemas relate to memory reconstruction?

Schemas help organize expectations based on prior experiences, but they can alter memory when influenced by misleading information.

What is the misinformation effect?

The phenomenon where misleading information causes distortions in memory recall.

What is an example of the misinformation effect?

Leading questions can influence the accuracy of memory recall.

What was the aim of Loftus and Palmer’s 1974 study?

To investigate how misleading questions affect memory reconstruction.

What was the procedure of the Loftus and Palmer study?

45 participants watched a car crash video and were asked: "How fast were the cars going when they ___?" with verbs like “hit,” “crashed,” “collided,” etc.

What hypothesis did Loftus and Palmer test?

That the verb used would influence the participants’ estimation of car speed.

What were the results of the Loftus and Palmer study?

Participants who heard “contacted” gave lower speed estimates than those who heard “collided,” showing memory distortion from word choice.

What are two strengths of the Loftus and Palmer study?

• Provides empirical evidence for reconstructive memory.

• High internal validity due to controlled design.

What are two weaknesses of the Loftus and Palmer study?

• Low ecological validity – lab setting not like real life.

• Small sample size – limits generalizability.

What was the aim of Wade et al.’s study?

To examine how doctored photos affect memory recall.

What was the procedure of the Wade et al. study?

Participants viewed childhood photos, including one fake photo of a hot air balloon ride, and were interviewed three times about their memories.

What were the results of Wade et al.'s study?

50% of participants falsely remembered the hot air balloon ride, showing the creation of false memories through misleading visual information.

What are two strengths of Wade et al.’s study?

• Shows how false information (photos) can reconstruct memory.

• Provides support for the creation of false memories.

What are two weaknesses of Wade et al.’s study?

• Ethical concerns due to deception.

• Small sample size limits generalizability.

What are flashbulb memories? (limitation)

Vivid, long-lasting memories of emotionally significant events that tend to resist distortion.

How do flashbulb memories challenge reconstructive memory theory?

They suggest emotion can enhance memory accuracy, which the theory does not fully account for.

What are the implications of reconstructive memory for eyewitness testimony?

Memory is not a reliable record of events and can be influenced by misleading questions during legal procedures.

What is a key recommendation based on this theory for legal professionals?

Avoid misleading or suggestive language when questioning witnesses to reduce memory distortion.

What was the aim of Yuille and Cutshall’s study? (limitation)

To test how misleading information affects memory in a real-life, emotionally charged event.

What was the procedure of the Yuille and Cutshall study?

Witnesses to a real robbery were asked misleading questions like "Were there broken headlights?" and "Did you see yellow panels?"

What were the results of Yuille and Cutshall’s study?

Despite the misleading questions, witnesses recalled details accurately, likely due to the emotional intensity of the event.