Schema theory

What is schema theory?

Schema theory, first proposed by Bartlett (1932), aims to explain how the brain organizes knowledge, information, and memories, doing so by grouping them into different schemas. The central claim of schema theory is that schemas, clusters of related pieces of previously obtained information stored in our minds, serve as cognitive frameworks that assist in organizing and comprehending new information by categorizing and relating it to prior knowledge.

How does it work? Like how is information organised into schemas?

Experiences or memories are assimilated into schemas, meaning they are changed to fit existing schemas, enabling us to make generalizations about situations, people, and places.

What can they affect?

Although schemas operate automatically and subconsciously, they influence memory, cognition, biases, and behavior. For example, information is often interpreted in a manner that fits pre-existing schemas, which may lead to confirmation bias and stereotypes. 

What are their characteristics?

Schemas are built up over time as more experiences are accumulated by the mind, therefore being long-lasting and hard to change. 

What is a study that supports schema theory and what was its aim?

Loftus and Palmer (1973) conducted a laboratory experiment using an independent measures design to investigate how schemas could be influenced by post-event information through leading questions. 

What sample did they use?

They used an opportunity sample of 45 American students, divided into five groups, who watched short videos of traffic accidents in random order. 

What was the procedure?

All participants were then asked a series of questions, with the only variation between the conditions being what verb was used in the critical question where the participants were asked “What speed were the cars going at when they [...] each other?”. The five different verbs used were smashed, hit, contacted, touched, collided, and bumped. 

What were the results?

Results showed that the verb significantly influenced participants' speed estimates. The “smashed” group reported the highest average speed (40.5 mph), while the “contacted” group reported the lowest (31.8 mph). The researchers concluded that the verb used conveyed an impression of the car's speed, influencing participants' perceptions of the event.

How does this relate to schema theory?

These findings support schema theory as they demonstrate how the wording of a question can activate different schemas. For example, “smashed” suggested higher speed and more severe impact, whereas “contacted” implied lower speed. This shows how post-event information can shape and influence memory, indicating that recall is not purely based on actual events but also on the interpretation influenced by schemas.