Memory: Reconstructive Memory Flashcards
What does the theory of reconstructive memory suggest?
It suggests that we actively try and make sense of new information based on what we already know.
What are schemas?
Mental structures which hold prior knowledge that are built from personal experiences.
Our schemas influence the way in which we recall information.
What is confabulation?
This is where gaps in memories are filled in using pre-existing information and expectations.
What is rationalisation?
This is when people change details in their recall so that it makes sense to them.
Describe reconstructive memory.
Memories are reconstructed each time they are recalled.
The schema we possess alters the content of our memories which we recall to be consistent with our previous experiences.
Our existing schema affects our memory in line with our beliefs or previous experience.
We use our schemas to fill in the gaps.
What is a strength of reconstructive memory?
The theory is based on relatively realistic research.
Bartlett’s ‘War of the Ghosts’ was more relevant to real life as opposed to other memory research that used artificial materials to be learned.
Bartlett’s study supports the theory as he found that participants changed parts of the folk tale to help it make sense.
Give a further strength of reconstructive memory using research.
Loftus and Pickrell (1995) found that 25% of participants remembered a false memory of being lost in a shopping mall and some elaborated on their pseudomemories in great detail.
What is a weakness of reconstructive memory?
Axelrod (1973) argues that schema theory can only be used to explain changes in individuals and cannot account for how changes to memory occurs in groups.
What did Wynn and Logie (1998) find out about rationalisation?
They found that in natural situations memories are not added to over time so rationalisation may only occur in artificial situations.
What is a weakness of reconstructive memory?
It does not account for the transference between short term and long term memory so it is not fully credible as it is an incomplete explanation of memory processes.
How can reconstructive memory be applied to real life?
Reconstructive memory helps explain problems with eye witness testimony.
Bartlett’s research showed memory can be affected by schemas, including expectations of what ‘should’ happen.
As a result, no convictions are now based on EWT alone.
How can reconstructive memory be linked with issues and debates?
Schema theory has contributed to the nature-nurture debate.
Schema theory focuses on the nurture side of how memory works which is different to theories of memory that emphasise underlying brain dysfunctions.
