Reconstructive memory Flashcards
Define reconstructive memory
Reconstructive memory-
Reconstructive memory a theory that suggests the act of remembering is influenced by various other cognitive processes including perception, belief, imagination, etc. Suggests memory is not rigid, but can be rebuilt and reconstructed. As such, memory recall is subject to distortion by other intervening cognitive functions such as individual perceptions, social influences, and world knowledge, all of which can lead to errors during reconstruction.
Memory is never a literal recount of past experiences. Rather, it is dependent on the constructive processes present at the time of encoding that are subject to potential errors and distortions.
Reconstructive memory good at explaining why people have inaccurate/ incorrect recall of past experiences. This can be problematic in cases like eye witness testimonies, where an unreliable witness account can lead to a person being wrongfully convicted. Knowledge gained about the reconstructive nature of memory has been very valuable and can allow us to better understnad the processes involved in unreliable eyewitness accounts, and how far to trust it and make sure the right people are convicted.
Signpost of Bartlett for reconstructive memory
Reconstructive memory offers an explanation as to why memory can be reconstructed and distorted over time or may change to suit/ fit our own expectations our experiences.
Bartlett method and results
Aim-
Investigate how information changes with each reproduction and why it does.
Method
He conducted an experiment using English participants, and used a Native American story, a culture that would have been unfamiliar to them.
participants were split into two groups to be tested using two techniques: serial reproduction and repeated reproduction.
The serial reproduction task involved a string of participants, in which the first participant was asked to read the original story and tell it to the next participant after waiting a period of time. This was repeated until six or seven reproductions were completed. In repeated reproductions, each participant was asked to read the story and wait a period of time, before repeating it again. This was repeated until six or seven reproductions were completed.
The number of attempts were separated by different intervals of time, such as 15 minutes to as long as several years.
Results
Bartlett found that in both of these methods, similar results were found. As the reproductions went on, the descriptions became simpler and shorter.
Bartlett found that participants filled in gaps in the story using their existing knowledge. Things that were unusual were usually remembered incorrectly.
Details, such as numbers and names, were lost or made more familiar, and the story was simplified.
Participants would also add in inaccurate details as a way of explaining the story to themselves. For example, one participant claimed that a fire was started to cook breakfast.
Evaluation of Bartlett
strength of this study is that it is high in ecological validity. As participants were asked to read a story, this may be more realistic than a task such as learning a list of words. It also gives support to show how cultures may affect memory via schemas.
Both the repeated and serial reproduction tasks were done many times to show that changes to the story followed the same patterns.
The study was also conducted with different stories, which showed similar results, showing that findings were not limited to the story.
However, a criticism of the study would be that Bartlett did not always test the repeated reproduction participants at the same time intervals, and so the changes over time cannot be compared fairly.
the study was specifically designed to reveal flaws in memory, this may have low ecological validity. As Bartlett had chosen unfamiliar material, he could not be sure that the changes he found would happen with familiar information
Concluding signpost Bartlett reconstructive memory
The reconstructive memory theory cna be applied to Bartlett’s theory- ppt may have had their memory be reconstructed over time.
If memory is reconstructed, this can show how ppt may have not only forgotten details of the study, but had changed details as well.
Study offers some evidence to show HOW memory is reconstructed- info is simplified, details changed, etc
Signpost of Loftus and palmer reconstructive mem
gives evidence to show how leading questions can lead to memory being reconstructed
Study offers explanation as to what can cause memory to be reconstructed, can be something as simple as how a question is phrased.
method, results, conclusion of loftus and palmer
gives evidence to show how leading questions can lead to memory being reconstructed
Study offers explanation as to what can cause memory to be reconstructed, can be something as simple as how a question is phrased.
Evaluation of loftus and palmer
Method
Strengths
applicable to real life situations, as a recognition task was used. This is something that is similar to that recognizing suspects in eyewitness testimonies.
show the dangers of eyewitnesses, as misleading information may cause their memory of the event to become distorted.
Did a second study to make sure memory was ACTUALLY being reconstructed.
Weaknesses
lacks ecological validity, as it may not be very realistic for people to be shown a video of a car accident in a real life situation.
concluding signpost loftus and palmer
These findings support the idea of reconstructive memory, as “smashed” in the leading question causes memory to become distorted, as the perceive the accident to be more severe than it was
the verb created an expectation of speed and so allowed for the participants’ memory to be reconstructed.
May be important in things like eye witness testimonies. People may have their memory reconstructed due to how a question is phrased.
Signpost yuille and cutshall reconstructive mem
These findings support the idea of reconstructive memory, as “smashed” in the leading question causes memory to become distorted, as the perceive the accident to be more severe than it was
the verb created an expectation of speed and so allowed for the participants’ memory to be reconstructed.
May be important in things like eye witness testimonies. People may have their memory reconstructed due to how a question is phrased.
method results conclusion yuille and cutshall
Aim
to investigate the accuracy of recall of eyewitnesses in a real crime.
Method
interviewed eyewitnesses of a robbery within 4 or 5 months after the incident.
The group was split into 2 and asked two types of leading questions. The first group were asked if they saw “a” broken headlight and “a” yellow panel on the car, while the second were asked if they saw “the” broken headlight and “the” yellow panel.
Participants were also asked to rate their stress levels on a 7-point scale.
Results
Unlike Loftus’ study, Yuille and Cutshall found that the eyewitnesses were very reliable. Most of them had said that there was no broken headlight and yellow panel, which was correct.
evaluation of yuille and cutshall
Method
A strength of this study is that it is high in ecological validity, unlike that of Loftus and Palmer.
scoring procedure used produced quantitative data from qualitative data, and as such no interpretation was needed, decreasing subjectivity
field study, it lacks generalisability and reliability; it may have been possible that these findings were the result of a one-off incident.
robbery may have been a flashbulb memory due to the event being traumatic and intense. These memories are different from normal ones as they are remembered in more detail and more permanently, which may suggest why the details of the event were remembered so accurately.
concluding signpost yuille and cutshall
findings dont support reconstructive memory; the leading questions had no effect on an individual’s memory.
Reconstructive memory may not occur in exceptions like if a flashbulb memory is present, though it is unclear whether or not ppt in Yuille and Cutshall actually had FBM.
Bad that reconstructive memory theory does not explain when memory is reconstructed. Doesnt happen all the time.
overall evaluation of reconstructive memory theory
TEACUP
Testable, in the case of Loftus and Palmer, who v clearly showed reconstructive memory occurs
The actual process of reconstructive memory cant be observed as it is a cogntivie process. When a non artificial environemnt was used, reconstructive memory not shown (yuille and cutshall)
Can somewhat predict behaviour/ how memory is reconstructed, as Bartlett revealed all info changes in the same type of way
Ethical Issues of application of findings
Offers explanation as to why eyewitness testimonies are not always reliable. Ensures they are used cautiously.
When interviewing/ asking for a testimony, must be careful how questions are phrased, as leading questions can lead to memory being reconstructed
