Bartlett's (1932) War of the Ghosts

Question 1

Aims of the study?

Answer 1

• To test the nature of reconstructive memory using an unfamiliar story
• To test if personal schemas influence the retelling of the story

Question 2

Procedure of the study?

Answer 2

• Participants were asked to read the story ‘The war of the ghosts” twice and then recall it using serial reproduction (reading the story and retelling it to another participant 15-30 mins later)
• Or by repeated reproduction (Writing out the story after 15 mins and recalling it hours. days, months and years later.)

Question 3

Results of the study

Answer 3

• Participants were found changing the details and adding meaning to the story (rationalisation)
• Participants were found omitting unpleasant and unfamiliar details of the story, lots of details were simplified and familiarised.

Question 4

Strengths of the study

Answer 4

• Is valid. Remembering stories is an everyday test of memory. This means that the procedure is naturalistic.
• Is reliable. Bartlett repeated the procedure using different pictures and stories and found that participants had the habit to change and omit the details while remembering the story. Such results were also found in other studies.

Question 5

Weaknesses of the study

Answer 5

• Is not valid. the story contained strange words and concepts. This is not an accurate test of memory therefore, participants must have changed their answer as they were unable to remember the details.
• Is not reliable. Participants would read the story at their own pace and would recall it after timed intervals. Bartlett’s study was unscientific and lacked proper controls. Participants who would read longer, would perform better as they had longer time to remember.