Cognitive approach KC3: reconstructive memory

Question 1

reconstructive memory

Answer 1

pieces of stored information are reassembled each time they are recalled to create a version of the original event. this process is influenced by schemas. this results in a memory.

Question 2

schemas

Answer 2

schemas are ‘packages’ of ideas and information developed through experience. they develop and change as we experience the world.

Question 3

war of the ghosts (Bartlett)

Answer 3

case study to support reconstructive memory

Question 4

shortening

Answer 4

information is LEFT OUT

Question 5

rationalisation

Answer 5

information is CHANGED

Question 6

confabulation

Answer 6

information is ADDED

Question 7

eye witness testimony (EWT)

Answer 7

the evidence given in court or in police investigations by someone who has witnessed a crime or an accident. what they say might not always be accurate due to shortening, rationalisation or confabulation.

Question 8

the role of schema in reconstructive memory- schemas effect our memories resulting in…

Answer 8

shortening, rationalisation and confabulation

Question 9

War of the ghosts (Bartlett) aim, procedure, findings and conclusion

Answer 9

AIM- to investigate if memories were reconstructive ie. influenced by schemas

PROCEDURE- 20 participants read a story called ‘war of ghosts’. it was an Inuit story and so would not be familiar to them. they read the story twice with a 15 min gap in between. they were then asked to recall the story

FINDINGS- he found evidence of shortening, rationalisation and confabulation

CONCLUSION- memory is reconstructive

Question 10

name 1 strength of reconstructive memory

Answer 10

Research to support

there is research to support the concept of reconstructive memory. eg, Bartlett found in his ‘war of the ghosts’ study that participants did not recall accurately many details of an unfamiliar story. the story they recalled changed significantly , there was evidence of shortening, rationalisation and confabulation. this suggests that we reconstruct memories from elements that are influenced by our schema, often making recall inaccurate

Question 11

name 1 limitation of reconstructive memory

Answer 11

Some memories are accurate

in situations that are personally important, distinctive or unusual we can remember a lot of accurate details. Eg, in Bartlett’s ‘war of the ghosts’ study, many participants recalled “something black came out of his mouth” because it was unusual. this shows that not all memories are reconstructed and some memories are not affected by schemas