Reconstructive Memory (Bartlett, 1932) including Schema Theory

Question 1

Which is reconstructive memory?

Answer 1

The theory that memories are not exact copies of what is encoded and stored but are affected by prior experience and knowledge in the form of schemas

Question 2

What is a schema?

Answer 2

A plan that is built upon our past experiences, knowledge we have learnt and the attitudes and beliefs we possess

Question 3

What are schemas used for?

Answer 3

Schemas are used to interpret information to be stored and to actively reconstruct memories to be recalled

Question 4

What did Bartlett use the term ‘effort after meaning’ to describe?

Answer 4

To describe how participants spent considerable effort in trying to connect a stimulus that they are given with some knowledge or experiences they possess

Question 5

What happens once a stimulus gains meaning?

Answer 5

Once the stimulus gains meaning for the individual it can be more readily assimilated and stored

Question 6

What happens to memory each time it is recalled?

Answer 6

Memory is reconstructed each time it is recalled

Question 7

Why is memory rarely accurate?

Answer 7

It is prone to distortion from processes such as rationalisation, transformation and confabulation

Question 8

What is rationalisation?

Answer 8

Making something make sense

Question 9

What is confabulation?

Answer 9

Making up bits to fill in a memory so it makes sense

Question 10

What did Bartlett do in his experiments?

Answer 10

Tested how accurately people could reproduce a story they only heard once

Question 11

In his most famous experiment what did Bartlett ask his participants to do?

Answer 11

He asked participants to read and recall a North American folk talk called The War of the Ghosts

Question 12

What did Bartlett find in his experiment?

Answer 12

That the story became considerably shortened because of omissions made, the phrases used reflected modern concepts and the story became more coherent in form

Question 13

What are the strengths/supporting evidence of reconstructive memory?

Answer 13

Loftus

Bartlett’s theory - useful applications in society

Reliability - Bartlett

Question 14

What are the weaknesses/refuting evidence of reconstructive memory?

Answer 14

Might not be generalisable

Psychology as a science

Nature and nurture

Question 15

Why is Loftus supporting evidence of reconstructive memory?

Answer 15

Loftus carried out many experiments on the unreliability of eyewitness testimony which has tested the idea of reconstructive memory and schemas and produced findings which support Bartlett’s theory

Question 16

Why is Bartlett supporting evidence for reconstructive memory?

Answer 16

Bartlett’s theory has useful applications in everyday life with regard to eyewitness testimonies

Explains why an eyewitness may produce a statement which is distorted and may draw upon previous knowledge in the form of schemas

Question 17

Why is there supporting evidence from Bartlett in terms of reliability for reconstructive memory?

Answer 17

Bartlett repeated this study multiple times using 8 different stories and found the same effects he did the first time which increases the reliability

Question 18

Why is the fact that generalisations may not be able to be made a weakness of reconstructive memory?

Answer 18

Evidence from Bartlett’s reconstructive theory comes from experiments where both the tasks and the situation in which they were carried out may be viewed as artificial

Findings from the study may not have validity and therefore generalisations to everyday life may not be possible

Question 19

Why is psychology as a science a weakness of reconstructive memory?

Answer 19

Research with humans is complex and it may not be possible to establish cause and effect conclusions about their behaviour

Question 20

Why is nature and nurture a weakness of reconstructive memory?

Answer 20

schemas present stereotypical beliefs about objects or events; these will be effected by upbringing and are therefore a product of nurture

This would also suggest that reconstructive memory is affected by cultural variations and the implication of this would be the findings of Bartlett’s research might not be generalised to other cultures