Reconstructive memory

Question 1

Link reconstructive memory to schema

Answer 1

Schemas are derived from pervious experience and help us predict what to expect.
Humans do not passively respond to information and interpret and integrate it to make sense of their experiences and information can be distorted during that process.
Instead of recalling every bit of information from memory, we use schema (a mental representation) to draw information out.

Question 2

Define Schema Theory

Answer 2

a theory of how humans process incoming information, relate it to existing knowledge, and use it.
The theory is based on the assumption that humans are active processors of information. People do not passively respond to information. They interpret and integrate it to make sense of their experiences

• Schemas are mental representations that are derived from prior experience and knowledge
• help predict what to expect based on what has happened before.
• used to organize our knowledge
• Scripts are a type of schema that happens over time, are patterns of behaviour that are learned through our interaction with the environment.
• Scripts are developed within a cultural context - they are not universal

Question 3

Aim of Brewer and Treyens

Answer 3

To investigate whether people’s memory for objects in a room is influenced by their schemas about what they expect in an office

Question 4

Method of Brewer and Treyens

Answer 4

• 30 university students who arrived individually to the lab
• asked to wait in an office containining objects (eg, desk, typewriter, coffee- pot, calenders)
• there were other incongruous items like skull and toy tops that did not go along with schemas
• After waiting for some time, participants were called into a room and and asked to write down what they could remember

Question 5

Findings of Brewer and Treyens

Answer 5

• most participants recalled the schematic objects (eg, desks, typewriters)
• all items that conform to our schemas are recalled from episodic memory
• some participants reported things that should be there but weren’t
• the very unusual items were recalled
• tend to recall items that consisted with a typical office.
• Few ppl remembered the items that were inconsistent.

Question 6

Conclusion of Brewer and Treyens

Answer 6

Provides evidence to show that schemas affect our cognitive process of memory and our recall of information.