Reconstructive Memory

Question 1

What are schemas

Answer 1

Schemas are pockets of information that help us make sense of the world
Based on past experiences, beliefs and expectations

Question 2

What is a strength of the theory

Answer 2

Credible - Bartlett used fictional story of war of the ghosts
Could represent real life memory processes when reading articles or stories
Found people reconstructed with culture e.g. boats were actually canoes

Question 3

Name a strength of the theory

Answer 3

Useful - supported by Loftus and Palmer who found people do not recall what they see or hear accurately
No convictions are made based on EWT,
Supports Bartletts idea of reconstructive

Question 4

Name a weakness of the theory

Answer 4

Reductionist - doesn’t explain how we reconstruct these memories. For example, the parts of the brain used. Its a theory of description not explanation

Question 5

Name a weakness of the theory

Answer 5

Lacks validity - mainly supported by lab experiments. war of the ghosts made no sense, pps may have displayed demand characteristics therefore results are unreliable.