Brewer and Treyens

Aim

Investigate the role of schema in the encoding and retrieval of episodic memory, specifically how prior experiences influence memory for new information

Procedure

Sample: university psychology students

Setting: a room designed to look like an office, containing both schema-consistent and schema-inconsistent items while omitting some typical office items

Ppts seated with a standardised vantage point

After 35 seconds, ppts were taken to another room and asked to recall the objects from the office

Conditions:

  1. Written recall and verbal recognition: describes objects, their location and characteristics, followed by rating their confidence

  2. Drawing recall: drawing the objects and their locations on a room outline

  3. Verbal recognition only: hearing a list of objects and identifying whether they were present

Findings

Ppts remembers more schema-consistent objects and often failed to recall schema-inconsistent objects

Ppts modified object details to align with their schema

Conclusion

Demonstrates that schema influences both encoding and retrieval of episodic memory

Schema-congruent items are more likely to be recalled

Memory distortions occur as ppts align details with their schemas

Evaluation

(+) High reliability - standardised procedure such as fixed seating and exposure time

(-) Low generalisability - participant extraneous variables are present as there is a lack of control over ppts' pre-existing schemas

(-) Unethical - deception occurred meaning ppts weren't aware of the true purpose at the start of the study