reconstructive memory & schemas (barlett) Flashcards
who proposed the theory of reconstructive memory?
- barlett
what is meant by a “schema”
units of knowledge which are based on previous experiences, allowing us to make sense of new situations and fill in the gaps
what is meant by “input”?
perception of an event
what is meant by “processing”?
the interpretation of an event
what is “effort after meaning”?
when people try to make sense of a situation based on what they already know by using schemas
how does information become distorted?
our schemas reconstruct our memories by filling in gaps when we forget information
what is meant by rationalisation?
getting rid of something from a memory to help it make sense to us by using our schemas
what is meant by confabulation?
making something up in our memory help it make sense to us using our schemas
describe the war of ghosts study
- barlett tested participants recollection of a native american folk story and found they altered the story, or missed out parts such as the ghosts, suggesting that rationalization and confabulation are used to make sense of something unfamiliar using our schemas
what is a weakness of the war and ghosts study?
it is not reflective of everyday memory, as an unfamiliar story was used that participants may not have understood.
what is some opposing evidence for barletts reconstructive memory theory?
- treyan and brewer found that when participants had to recall items in office they were sat in, they recalled unusual objects such as a skull which contradicts we use schemas to recall memories.