Reconstructive memory - Bartlett

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16 Terms

1

What is reconstructive memory?

  • We create memory like we would a jigsaw puzzle - piecing information together and therefore each time we recall a memory we may create a new version of it.

  • Reconstructions are made by combining real elements of the memory with existing knowledge - what we already know or have experienced in the past e.g. from films we have seen or from what others have told us or stereotypes.

  • Meaning this is inaccurate because when we fill in the gaps it isn’t the information of what actually happened but what we THINK should have happened.

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2

What is a schema?

  • A cognitive template of memories built from experience = nurture.

  • Bartlett suggested that sometimes, when we have a gap in our memory or are unsure, we will fit it with what we ‘think’ should be there.

  • Everyone has different schemas because of different experiences.

  • Because we have individual and different schemas it is called an ideographic concept.

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3

What are the 4 different types of schemas?

  • Confabulation

  • Shortening

  • Rationalisation

  • Leading questions

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4

What is confabulation and how does it affect memory recall?

  • A memory error where gaps in a persons memory are unconsciously filled with distorted information

  • Mixing two similar memories together

  • If asked to recall an event similar to another event (e.g. birthday parties) you may merge it with the other - making it hard to specifically identify one event due to mixing the memories together.

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5

What is shortening and how does it affect memory recall?

  • Missing parts of the memory

  • This can affect memory recall because you will only be able to recall a partial memory not the complete memory.

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6

What is rationalisation and how does it affect memory recall?

  • Changing memory so that it makes sense to us.

  • this affects memory recall because we are changing the memory so it makes sense to us - meaning the memory will be inaccurate.

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7

What are leading questions and how do they affect memory recall?

  • The way a question is worded can change how information is recalled.

  • This can affect memory recall because if a particular outcome is implied it can distort memory.

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8

What was the aim of Bartletts ‘war of the ghosts study?’ (1932)

  • He aimed to investigate the accuracy of reconstructive memory.

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9

What were the Pp asked to do?

  • English Pp asked to read a Native American folk tale called the ‘war of the ghosts.’ - because it was unlikely that Pp were familiar with the story.

  • He asked them to recall the story a few weeks later.

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10

What did he find when Pp were asked to recall the story?

  • The Pp’s recalls distorted the content and style of the original story

  • The story was shortened

  • Confabulation as Pp unintentionally filled in gaps in their memory with inaccurate info.

  • Rationalisation as words, phrases changed to be closer to the English language/concepts, e.g. ‘boats’ instead of ‘canoes’

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11

What did he conclude?

  • Showed that memory is not just a factual recording of what has occurred, but individuals make the effort to remember in terms of what they know and understand about the world.

  • Consequently, we often change our memories, so they become more coherent to us. (rationalisation)

  • The story was recalled differently - each person reciting it in their own way. With repetitive telling, passages became short, ideas that did not make sense were rationalised or removed.

  • This is a key finding that suggests we all reconstruct our memory to conform to our personal beliefs about the world, - our memories are anything but reliable.

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12

What are implications of this research in the real world?

  • Shows eyewitness testimonies can be unreliable

  • e.g. eyewitness’s account of an event involving a weapon (where the weapon is the focus of the event), the concentration on the weapon often makes them exclude other important details of the crime, such as the perpetrator.

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13

What are the key points about reconstructive memories’ CREDIBILITY?

Weakness

A01:

  • WOG study (1932)

  • English Pp asked to read a Native American story and recall it a few weeks later.

  • Pp recalled distorted content and style of the original story.

  • Confabulation as Pp unintentionally filled in gaps in their memory with inaccurate info.

  • Shortening of the story and rationalisation to make it make sense to them (boats instead of canoes) - closer to the English language concepts.

A03:

  • Not credible due to problems with research.

  • Research to test schemas through WOTG is limited and lacks control - Pp asked to recall information after different time periods.

  • Bartlett had no way of controlling any extraneous variables over the time periods that could have influences results e.g. head injuries, started drug use etc.

  • lowers internal validity.

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14

What are they key points about reconstructive memories’ OBJECTIONS?

A01:

  • Schemas are not considered scientific

  • an abstract concept

  • Not a real part of your brain

A03:

  • Therefore they cannot be tested objectively through brain scans.

  • So it is not entirely clear how schemas are acquired in the first place or the exact way they influence cognitive processes.

  • Decreases scientific status of the theory.

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15

What are they key points about reconstructive memories’ DIFFERENCES

A01:

  • Reconstructive memory theory is descriptive rather than explanatory

  • Doesn’t explain the why - no deeper explanation about why the memory is inaccurate.

  • Superficial

  • The MSM is a linear model stating clear processes about how memory can be lost due to inattention - transferred because of attention and retrieved.

A03:

  • The WMM is more structured and testable as the components are explained leading to key findings to help in the real world.

  • Baddeley’s study to investigate encoding methods - STM acoustically, LTM semantically.

  • Making info semantic so it can encode into LTM - attention will be paid to it.

  • Research evidence can be developed because of the WMM being more explanatory.

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16

What are they key points about reconstructive memories’ APPLICATION?

A01:

  • Schema theory provides an insight into how inaccurate memories can be which has informed real world practices

  • eyewitness testimonies used to be highly regarded in criminal cases, often leading to convictions that were later determined as wrongful.

A03:

  • Understanding how memories can be influences has brought about change in the criminal justice system in highlighting that eye-witness memory isn’t always reliable

  • Now more weight is given to physical evidence such as DNA in convicting criminals.

  • Clearly reconstructive/schema theory fosters psychological knowledge in society and can be applied to real world scenarios.

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