Memory - The Theory Of Reconstructive Memory Flashcards
Key elements of reconstructive memory
Memory is inaccurate
Reconstruction
Social & cultural influences
Effort after meaning
Explain how ‘memory is inaccurate’ is a key element of reconstructive memory
Many people believed memory was an exact recall but Bartlett proposed we store fragments of info and rebuild these.
Elements are missing & isn’t accurate recall
Explain how ‘reconstruction’ is a key element of reconstructive memory
According to Bartlett, the info we store in our LTM has been changed before its stored.
We record small pieces & later recombine them
Each time you tell it elements are combined slightly differently
Explain how ‘social & cultural influences’ are a key element of reconstructive memory
A key part of Bartlett’s theory is that the way we store/recombine stories are related to social & cultural expectations
They may influence storage &/or recall
(Eg: hunting seals was changed to fishing)
Explain how ‘effort after meaning’ is a key element of reconstructive memory
We focus on the meaning of events & after, make an effort to interpret it in more familiar terms.
Strength of reconstructive memory theory
Bartlett’s investigation was more realistic of how we use memory in our lives.
Lost of psychologists use artificial materials (eg: Baddeley used word lists) which we barely use our memories for.
Social origins of memory were obscured in artificial research but Bartlett’s findings are more relevant to real life memory.
Weakness of reconstructive memory theory
It is wrong to suggest all memories are inaccurate.
Other studies have shown memory can be very accurate.
In situations that are personally important/distinctive we have accurate recall.
In the war of the ghosts people remembered ‘something black came out his mouth’ - distinctive.
Shows people don’t always reconstruct memories & some are accurate.
