Reconstructive Memory Flashcards
What does RM explain?
Schema Theory
Schemas
Mental constructs that are used to guide behaviour. New memories are assimilated to previous experiences in order to make memory more efficient. Schemas can also “fill in the blanks” when you cant remember the exact details of a memory.
Perception
Bartlett also said memories can differ because people can perceive the same situations differently (ink blots)
+supporting: bartletts 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”.
+supporting: bartletts ink blot test
People perceived ink blots differently based on their schemas. This meant they learnt the same ambiguous picture differently.
+individual difference
This theory accounts for why people have different memories of the same event- because they are influenced by individual experiences.
+usefulness
Helps are understanding of education and EWT
-other theories: RM
Doesn’t consider the existence of STM/LTM and the other theorists of memory.
-testability
Schema recall studies like Bartlett’s War Ghost lack Ecological validity.
Who?
Bartlett
Description
Memories are retrieved through a constructive process where it is rebuilt.
Memories are reconstructed each time they are recalled.
You use your previous experiences, perceptions and beliefs to rebuild your memories/ they colour and change what you recall.
The schema (our mental scripts) we prossess alters the content of our memories which we recall to be consistent with our belief/previous experiences.
Our schemas influence the way in which we recall information.
Our existing schema effects our memory in line with our beliefs or previous experience.
We use our schemas to fill in gaps (via a process of confabulation)
Strength over other theories
Explains why people misremeber info rather than simply forgetting it altogether.
-conflicting brewer and treyvens
People recalled items from an office they saw, the results fit the theory other than they recalled a skull which stood out from their schemas-sometimes unusual things are remembered well.
-conflicting brewer and treyvens
People recalled items from an office they saw, the results fit the theory other than they recalled a skull which stood out from their schemas-sometimes unusual things are remembered well.
