reconstructive memory

Question 1

A01

Answer 1

reconstructive memory suggests that when we recall an event we change the event to fit in with our schemes, schemas are packages of information based on our past experiences e.g. we may reconstruct a criminal wearing a black balaclava because we watched a film even if they weren’t.
we often may change out memories to fit in with out stereotypes, beliefs and expectations. we may also ignore information that doesn’t fit in with our schema

confabulation is the idea that we fill in the gaps that we have forgotten/ doesn’t make sense to us with info from our schema

simplification is when we simplify complex information into a more manageable form

rationalisation is when we remove something from our memory if it doesn’t fit with our schema

effort after meaning…

Question 2

A03.1

Answer 2

strength: bartletts study demonstrated how people reconstruct their memories. used 20 students who were told an old Native American story with unusual features, he found that ppts simplified story, 330-180 words and confabulated details that didn’t make sense in their schemas, seal hunting- fishing

weakness: study lacked control, asked ppts to recall at random convenient times and their recall was interpreted based on his own subjective view, findings may be bias and have extraneous variables interfering with validity.

Question 3

A03.2

Answer 3

strength: loftus and palmer, found that when students were presented with a video of a car crash ad asked ‘ how quickly did the car …… the other car’ those exposed to the word smashed recorded a much higher speed 40,8 compared to verb hit 34mph demonstrating how we can reconstruct our memories based on new information added to our schema about an event.

weakness: although reconstructive memory cant explain how people often can recall highly emotional events very clearly. brown et al found that ppts remembered very specific details about major events in their life - flashbulb memories contrasting RM which suggests out memory is not accurate and we change the event during recall

Question 4

application

Answer 4

has had positive applications impacting criminal justice system, the Devlin report which suggests that no one can be convicted based on one EWT as reconstructive memory suggests we may recall events inaccurately,, which could lead to people being wrongly convicted, Ronald cotton, key issue in society