cognitive approach-reconstructive memory Flashcards
what is reconstructive memory
.argues that memories are reconstructions
describe how reconstructive memory works
.we don’t record events in memory and reproduce them later (like a video recorder)
. instead we store fragments of information
.when we recall something we reconstruct these fragments into a meaningful whole
what does reconstructive memory result in ?
memory is not a totally accurate record of what happend
what experiment shows reconstructive memory ?
Barlett study
what was the aim of Barletts study for reconstructive memory ?
to measure the accuracy of reconstructive memory and identify how schemas may influence them
describe barletts 1st experiment
The study asked 20 niave participants to read a native american folk tale (war of ghosts)
. one subject was read the story and told to recall it
. the second subject is shown the first subjects account of the story and instructed to recall it (and so on).
what do we call barlett’s first experiment ?
serial reproduction design
describe barletts 2nd experiment
. Participants were asked to recall the folk tale over a given period
.the participants were read the story and asked to recall it after 15 minutes
. the participants were asked to recall the story several times over a 1 year period
what do we call Barletts 2nd experiment
repeated reproduction design
what were Barrets findings
. participants created new information more frequently as the story was passed down .
. the longer the period in which the story was told the shorter and more obscure the folk tale became
(details were missed or rationalised)
what Barletts conclusion ?
People are prone to make errors during the reconstructive memory process
he came up with the concept of rationalisation .
what is rationalisation ?
were parts of a memory are distorted to fit your schema, to make the memory meaningful.
how does rationalisation link to Barletts study ?
some participants recalled unfamiliar words with familiar ones ( instead of saying canoe they said boat ext .)
whats a schema ?
mental frameworks or beliefs that influence cognitive processing
what is shortening ?
when part of a memory is left out so what remains is shorter
what is confabulation ?
when details are added to a memory to fill in the gaps
what is a strength of reconstructive memory and why ?
.It has practical applications
.it can help explain problems with eye witness testimony’s
.Their recollection on what they saw may be affected by their schema.
. As our memory can be affected by schemas (such as expectations on what a criminal should look like), so people do not always recall events accurately.
.This means evidence in court is never based on eyewitnesses alone as it could be inaccurate due to reconstructive memory.
what is a strength of reconstructive memory and why ?
.There is evidence
.there is evidence showing reconstructive memory form Barlett’s research.
whats a weakness to reconstructive memory
.not all memories are affected by schemas.
.Recall can be very accurate
. for example in a situations that are personally important, distinctive or unusual, we can remember a lot of accurate detail.
