Barletts Theory Of Reconstructive Memory

Question 1

Memory and schemas

Answer 1

• Memories are not exact copies of an event but an interpretation - an active reconstruction
• barlett referred to this general knowledge as schemas
• unique to us and develop over time through our own experiences
• schemas are packed of information, like scripts about events or situations

Question 2

Active reconstruction

Answer 2

• Memory not an exact copy of what we experience,but an interpretation of events that are influenced by our schemas (expectation) when we remember them again

Question 3

Schema (memory)

Answer 3

A packet of knowledge about an event, person or place that influences how we perceive and remember

Question 4

How schemas are formed

Answer 4

Formed throughout our lives through our experiences
Build schemas through personal experiences
Our schemas are unique and personal to us

Question 5

How schemas influence memory

Answer 5

• Over time people recall the pictures and stories differently
• schemas influence our memory and cause changes or ignored details when we recall something

Barlett found that recall displayed

• omissions
• transformation
• familiarisation
• rationalisation

Question 6

Omissions

Answer 6

We leave out unfamiliar, irrelevant ou unpleasant details when remembering something our schemas simplifies the information

Question 7

Transformation

Answer 7

Details are changed to make them more familiar and rational

Question 8

Familiaration

Answer 8

We change unfamiliar details to align our own schema

Question 9

Rationalisation

Answer 9

We and details into our recall to give a reason for something that may not have originally fitted with a schema

Question 10

Strength of barletts theory

Answer 10

• Real world practical application and helps understand why memory can became disarmed ( eyewitness to a crime can misread certain events)
• his theory’s can be seen as ecologically valid

Question 11

Cognitive interview

Answer 11

A police interview designed to ensure a witness to a crime does not actively reconstruct their memory

Question 12

Ecological validity

Answer 12

The extent to which the findings still explain the behaviour in different situations

Question 13

Weaknesses of barletts theory

Answer 13

• Barletts findings could be subjective which is considered unscientific
• not particularly scientific in his procedures