Bartlett (1932)

Question 1

Where can this study be used?

Answer 1

Discuss/evaluate schema theory
To what extent is one cognitive process reliable?Sociocultural factors may affect cognitive processes

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

To investigate how previous knowledge, particularly cultural background, influences the memory of a story
* Bartlett sought to determine if unfamiliarity with a text due to cultural differences would lead to distortions in memory during recall
* hypothesised that memory is reconstructive, with individuals storing and retrieving information according to their cultural schemas

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

Participants: British individuals were chosen, and they were unfamiliar with the Native American legend “The War of the Ghosts”

Question 4

Method

Answer 4

Two conditions used:
* repeated reproduction: P heard the story and were asked to recall it after different time intervals (short-term and long period like days, weeks, months)
* serial reproduction: P recalled story and repeated it to another person, who then recalled it to another etc.

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

Memory is an active process of reconstructing information to fit existing schemas rather than passively recalling exact details
* both groups distorted the story when recalling it
* three patterns:
* assimilation: became more consistent with British cultural norms, as P unconsciously changed unfamiliar details to fit their own cultural expectations
* leveling: the story became shorter with each retelling as P omitted information they deemed unimportant
* sharpening: P changed the order of the story, added details and incorporated emotions to make the story more coherent based on their cultural understanding

Question 6

Limitations (name 3)

Answer 6

• P did not receive consistent instructions or have standardized intervals for recalling the story - makes it hard to replicate
• P were not explicitly told to be as accurate as possible when recalling the story
• no significant difference between the two conditions (repeated vs. serial reproduction) - challenging the focus on rehearsal methods
• did not directly test the role of culture on memory by comparing participants from different cultural backgrounds - better experiment would use Native Americans and Britts

Question 7

Strengths (2)

Answer 7

• High ecological validity: findings have real-world applications and can explain memory distortions in everyday life
• Theory of reconstructive memory: study contributed to the development of this influential theory, which is useful in understanding how memories are altered over time