Ch.7-Reconstructive Nature of Memory

Question 1

Reconstructive Nature of Memory

Answer 1

Errors in long term memories: remembering is an active process. Memories are constructed, not just stored records that are retrieved.
Remembering uses schemata: real world knowledge and frameworks for organizing information. Used to reconstruct memories during process of remembering (Barlett).
Top-down processes influence memory retrieval.

Question 2

Method of Serial Reproduction

Answer 2

Recall same passage on subsequent occasions.
Observe changes in information that is remembered from original passage.
Distortions added to original information. Make information more coherent and meaningful.
Eg: “foggy and calm” changed to “dark and stormy” is consistent with common trope that bad weather foreshadows bad events.
Constructive view of long term memory: encode and retrieve information actively. Influenced by knowledge and expectations. Distorted to make sense.

Question 3

Autobiographical Memory

Answer 3

Memory of events that the rememberer has been a part of. Influenced by distinctiveness: Easier to retrieve memories for single and/or unusual events vs regularly occurring events.
Subject to reconstruction: based on knowledge and expectations. top-down influence on remembering. Eg: “where were you on June 28, 2016 at 11;35am?”
Forgotten items are not distinct: harder to distinguish from similar memories. Similar aspects of repeated events form an event. Schema (episodic-> semantic memory)