Reconstructive Memory Flashcards
Cognitive Approach 2.1 (13 cards)
Memory economises
We do not remember everything that we see, only what our mind deems useful
How do schemas play a role in reconstructive memory?
When we reconstruct memory we are activating schemas that are relevant to an event
* through this we may distort memories
* try to make the past more logical, coherent and sensible which makes inferences or deductions about what could or should have happened
Reconstructive memory
The idea that remembering the past reflects our attempts to reconstruct the events experienced previously
Why might memory = unreliable?
In the case of eyewitnesses:
* nature of questions can influence witnesses’ memories
* leading questions (suggestive in some way) and post-event information affect schema processing
* distortion known as misinformation effect
* witnesses often confident in memories, even when their recollections are inaccurate
Based on what might people fill in gaps during memory retrieval? (3)
- past experiences
- stereotypes
- post-event information
What is post-event information?
Exposure to:
* media reports (TV, social media)
* stories from other people
Why might memory = reliable?
In the case of eyewitnesses:
* recalled large amount of accurate detail that could be confirmed by original police reports
* did not make errors as a result of leading questions - most distressed has most accurate memories
* may be that different types of memory are more reliable than others
Compare the studies of Loftus & Palmer and Yullie & Cutshall
- accuracy of eyewitnesses in Y & C was between 79% and 84% based on comparison with original police reports - contradicts L & D
- 3 out of 13 P (23%) showed reconstructive memory compared to 19.33% in L & P’s broken glass experiment - higher proportion
How does clothing control in line-ups help reduce reconstructive memory?
Suspects in line-ups should wear identical clothing that is not similar to what was described at the crim scene to prevent schema-drive misidentification
How do line up procedures help reduce reconstructive memory?
Witnesses should be told the suspect may not be present in the line-up
* sequential lineups (viewing one person at a time) improve accuracy
* no confirming feedback should be given to the witness
How does context reinstatement help reduce reconstructive memory?
Witnesses are asked to mentally recreate the environment and emotional state during the event to improve recall (Tulving & Thomson’s Encoding Specificity Hypothesis (1973))
How does the cognitive interview method help reduce reconstructive memory?
A narrative interview style avoids leading questions by allowing witnesses to recount events freely, minimising schema distortion
* change the perspective: encourage witness to view event from another person’s viewpoint - reducing schema reliance
* change the order: asking witness to recount events in different sequences - disrupts schema-based reconstruction
