Prototype vs exemplar models

Question 1

Prototype models theory

Answer 1

keep a prototypical bird;’ on that is most available around you. The more it looks like the prototype, the faster the RT

BUT No info about the size of the category or the variability within the category. You only retain the central tendency.

Question 2

Exemplar model theory

Answer 2

Not a prototype, but all exemplars are kept in mind. You compare the one you see with all the ones you’ve seen

• When seeing a bird you retrieve all birds form memory and compare it to decide if it belongs

These are considered as better based on studies

Remember-all assumption is questionable tho

Question 3

Debate

Answer 3

Both models are incorporated in neural network models.

Question 4

Schemas

Answer 4

Bartlett; Experimented on the reproduction of memories. Found how its not factual but its put together again based on fragments

Memory is retrieval of bits and pieces of episodic memory, fitted into semantic patters (schemas)

• Schema’s help with encoding, help us understand the fragments
• Also leads to distortion of true memory by steering memory in a direction logic with the scheme

Question 5

Study with object recognition

Answer 5

Saw figures with line pictures, had to redraw them later

Both groups received different descriptions of the line pictures, something that could’ve been seen in it (eg a C shape, one got a crescent moon the other ‘ the letter C; )

Result
- drew the image the way it was described.
- Explained (possibly) store it in the form of a diamond due to the description. Schema activation is distorting the recall

Question 5

Brewer and Treyens stuydy

Answer 5

Subjects were sitting in a room waiting to be called.

After long time, they were collected and asked
- what do you remember from the waiting room.
- It was an academic office, and bc books are often ass. they were taken away. (all typical ‘ acedemic room’ objects)

Result
- Subjects produce objects that were predictable from the schema (desk, chairs, bookcase)
- Subjects produce fewer less predictable objects, even though they were actually present (bulletin board)

Question 6

Schama benefits and disadvantage

Answer 6

Schemas are always used to make sense of the world

Benefits;
- Creates expectations
- Makes it much easier to make inferences
- Allow you to remember more

Disadvantage
- Distorts memories (implicitly)
- Allows mannipulations ( eg advertisers making a product look more luxury, magicians, politicians etc)