Schemas

What is a schema?

A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influences our cognitive processing to help us interpret the world. They are influenced by our experiences, upbringing, and culture.

Why are schemas useful?

• They help us make sense of the world

• Done by providing shortcuts to identifying things we come across

How can schemas be problematic?

They can distort out interpretation of sensory information - leading to perceptual errors or incorrect responses/behaviour

What is Bartlett's war of the ghosts study?

• Gave 20 students a story with unusual figures

• Asked them to recall the story on several occasions - serial reproduction

• Compared how the recalls differed from the original story

• Ppts were found to have confabulated details - turning unfamiliar parts of the story (like ghosts) into familiar ideas that fell in line with their schemas - canoes →boats

• Ppts rationalised abnormal parts - missing out ghosts and replacing them with native American tribes.