Reconstructive Memory

Question 1

What is meant by reconstructive memory

Answer 1

A process in memory where gaps in knowledge are filled in based on a personal ‘schema’

Question 2

Example of an effect of reconstructive memory

Answer 2

If something as being like a bird than it’s likely to be remembered as a bird but if something is perceived as being more rabbit like that it’s likely to be remembered as a rabbit

Question 3

What is meant by ‘effort after meaning’

Answer 3

Connecting previous knowledge and experience and a stimulus, the stimulus can be given meaning

Question 4

Who made reconstructive memory and when

Answer 4

Bartlett, 1932

Question 5

What is meant by ‘schema’

Answer 5

An idea or concept of something based or previous knowledge, experience and ideas

Question 6

Evidence for reconstructive memory

Answer 6

• War Of the ghosts (and other folk tales) support memory being a active reconstructive process
• similar effects with other stimulus material

Question 7

Applications of reconstructive memory

Answer 7

• police should be cautious of the accuracy of eyewitness testimony
• eye witness schema can be triggered by the surroundings so police can recreate the scene

Question 8

Strengths (+) and weaknesses (-)

Answer 8

+ explains the in people as we all experienced different in life and better schema means better recall
- over emphasised the errors as most complex memory are recalled correctly
- too simple, fails to explain why things unlike schema are easy to remember