Schema Theory and Reconstructive Memory Lecture Notes

Flashcards about Schema Theory and Reconstructive Memory

What is Schema Theory?

Schema Theory proposes that people use mental frameworks (schemas) based on prior information to process new information, affecting how memories are encoded, stored, and retrieved.

What was the aim of Bartlett's "War of Ghosts" study?

To test the effect of schemas on memory.

What type of story did Bartlett use in his study?

A Native American Story called “War of Ghosts”.

Name one result from Bartlett's "War of Ghosts" study?

Omissions of unfamiliar details or transformations of unfamiliar terms into familiar ones.

What is one weakness of Bartlett's "War of Ghosts" study?

The sample was limited to British people, which limits generalizability.

What is one Strength of Bartlett's "War of Ghosts" study?

This study highlights the role of culture and schemas in memory reconstruction

What was the aim of Brewer and Treyens' office study?

To investigate the role of schemas in encoding and retrieving episodic memory.

What were participants asked to do after being in the office in the Brewer and Treyens study?

To recall or draw the objects they remembered from the office.

How did schemas influence memory in Brewer and Treyens' study?

Participants were more likely to remember items congruent with their schema of an office and sometimes falsely recalled schema-consistent items.

What is one strength of Brewer and Treyens' office study?

Provided strong evidence that schemas influence memory by showing both correct recall and false memories.

What is one weakness of Brewer and Treyens' office study?

The artificial setting may reduce ecological validity.

What is reconstructive memory?

Recalling past events involves actively reconstructing them, using prior experiences, fragmented knowledge, and current expectations.

Who are two key researchers associated with reconstructive memory?

Loftus & Palmer and Bartlett

What was the aim of Loftus and Palmer's car crash study?

To investigate the effects of leading questions on eyewitness testimony.

What was the procedure of Loftus and Palmer's car crash study?

Participants watched videos of car crashes and were then asked questions about the speed of the cars, with the wording of the verb varying (e.g., 'smashed,' 'hit').

How did the verb used in the question affect speed estimates in Loftus and Palmer's study?

Participants given 'smashed' estimated higher speeds compared to those given 'contacted'.

What is one possible explanation for the results of Loftus and Palmer's study?

The verb 'smashed' may encourage a bias towards a stronger speed or cause the accident to be reconstructed in a more destructive way.

What is one strength of Loftus and Palmer's car crash study?

The laboratory conditions allowed the researchers to control any potentially confounding variables.

What is one weakness of Loftus and Palmer's car crash study?

The sample size was relatively small, and it only included American students.

Name a result from Bartlett's "War of Ghosts" study

Omissions of unfamiliar details or transformations of unfamiliar terms into familiar ones.