Key Concept 3: Reconstructive Memory

Question 1

Reconstructive memory

Answer 1

Pieces of memory are brought together during recall. This process is guided by our schema - a mental structure or ‘package’ containing our stored knowledge of an aspect of the world. The fragments of memory are put together to make sense to us in a way that fits in with our schema.

There are three ways this happens.

Question 2

Shortening

Answer 2

Parts of a memory that don’t fit in with our schema are left out. Our memory of an event is much shorter than the actual event. For example, if you saw a football match that lasted 90 minutes your recall of it would take only a few minutes.

Question 3

Rationalisation

Answer 3

Parts of a memory are recalled in a distorted way so that they fit in with our schema. For example, we might recall seeing a speeding car being driven by young men when really it was being driven by an old lady.

Question 4

Confabulation

Answer 4

Parts of a memory that are invented to fill in gaps with information that was not really there. It is guided by our schema to make better sense of the memory. This makes our memories meaningful but inaccurate.