Reconstructive Memory

Question 1

Describe what a schema is

Answer 1

Mental representation about events or objects

Question 2

What do we mean by your memory being Reconstructive?

Answer 2

Memories are retrieved through a constructive process where it is rebuilt

Question 3

What other than schema shapes your memory?

Answer 3

Your previous experiences, perceptions and beliefs rebuild your memories/ they colour and change what you recall

Question 4

What is Confabulation?

Answer 4

Using schemas to fill in gaps

Question 5

Supporting Evidence

Answer 5

Bartlett’s war of the ghosts study found that participants who recalled a story filled in the information they couldn’t remember with previous experiences (schemas). For example, “canoe” became “boat” and “seal hunting” became “fishing”.

Bartlett’s ink blots test. People perceived ink blots differently based on their schemas. This meant they learnt the same ambiguous picture differently.

Question 6

Conflicting evidence

Answer 6

Reconstructive memory doesn’t consider the existence of STM/LTM and the other theorists of memory

Question 7

Weakness of Bartlett

Answer 7

Lacks Ecological validity