Reconstructive memory Flashcards
What is the definition of memory?
Memory is the structure and processes involved in the storage and subsequent retrieval of information after the presence of the original stimuli has passed.
What does reconstructive memory imply about how memories are formed?
Memory is not a tape recorder; it is not exact copies of what is encoded and is affected by prior experience/knowledge in the form of schemas.
Define schemas in the context of memory.
Schemas are mental units of knowledge which store fragments of events based on previous experiences, allowing us to make sense of things and fill in gaps in our knowledge.
What is confabulation?
Confabulation is when we make something up in a memory to help it make more sense to us and our schema.
What was the aim of Bartlett’s war of the ghosts study?
To test participants’ recollection of a Native American folk tale and how their schemas affected their memory.
What did Bartlett’s study find about memory recall?
Participants altered parts of the story, suggesting they used schemas to make sense of the information and might make things up or miss things out.
What is a weakness of Bartlett’s study regarding task validity?
Recalling a strange, unique story at different points in time is not an everyday task, limiting the applicability of the findings.
What does rationalisation mean in the context of memory?
Rationalisation is when we remove something from our memory if it doesn’t fit the schema as a way of simplifying it.
What is meant by ‘effort after meaning’?
Effort after meaning refers to when people try to make sense of a situation using their existing schemas.
How does information become distorted in memory according to reconstructive memory theory?
Information becomes distorted when our schemas reconstruct memories by filling in gaps of things that are forgotten or do not make sense.
What was the purpose of the Treyan and Brewer study?
To examine participants’ recall of items from an office, including unusual objects added by researchers.
What did Treyan and Brewer’s study find regarding memory recall?
Participants were more likely to remember strange objects, contradicting the idea that we use schemas to recall memories.
What is a strength of reconstructive memory theory in terms of applications?
It suggests that rationalisation and confabulation may occur due to something not making sense, which is applicable to eyewitness testimony.
Fill in the blank: Other forms of evidence such as _______ testing should be used alongside eyewitness testimony.
DNA
Alternate theory of memory
MSM
