Reconstructive memory (Bartlett 1932) Flashcards
What does schema theory recognise ?
Memory doesn’t work like video recording, they are often incomplete
What is a schema ?
Cognitive plan/script that are built up using experiences of everyday life & that affects the processing of information
What is assimilation ?
How we describe new experiences using previously constructed schemas
What is accommodation ?
Adjusting schemas to better incorporate new experiences
What is active process ?
Highlights how recall is affected by previous experiences & importance of schemas
What is imaging ?
Based on experiences, only parts is remembered
What is effort after meaning ?
How participants spent considerable effort in trying
What does memory recall ?
Most important points, meaning less important points will be forgotten
What is rationalisation ?
Reasoning about what must have happened so it makes sense to you
What is confabulation ?
Unconsciously filling any gaps in recall with previous experiences
What is simplification ?
Simplifying the story - removing parts that don’t fit into schemas
How are memories partially distorted by social factors ?
Social stereotypes will influence perception of that memory to fill in any gaps
What is sharpening ?
Refining the details
What is Bartlett’s war of the ghost study ?
- Made idea of reconstructive memory during Chinese Whispers
- Showed 20 students a Native American Ghost story
- Asked to recall after hours, days, weeks or years - serial reproduction
- Ends with ‘He was dead.’
How did confabulation change recall Bartlett’s ghost study ?
- Canoes & paddles. became boats
- Hunting seals became fishing
How did rationalisation change recall in Bartlett’s ghost study ?
- Just described battle between Native American tribes
- Didn’t grasp ‘ghosts’
How did simplification change recall in Bartlett’s ghost study ?
After 6 recall sessions, words reduced from 330 to 180
How is schema theory reductionist ?
- Vaguer about how schemas work & where they are located
- Schema theory - assimilation & accommodation
How is Bartlett’s War of the Ghost study supporting research ?
- Plays into confabulation, rationalisation & simplification
- Supports how reconstructive memory works over time
What is one weakness to Bartlett’s war of the ghost study ?
- Not scientific
- Did not follow standardised procedures
- Asked to reproduce study whenever it was convenient for them
- Changes in stories down to own subjectives opinion
How is Loftus & Palmer supporting research ?
- Studies leading questions (broken glass)
- 32% ‘smashed’ = recall broken glass
How is Allport & Postman supporting research ?
- Showed photo of respectably dressed black character & white character less so
- After time & serial reproduction, characters swapped
- Some described black character holding knife
What are applications ?
- Schemas can help to live in their world (validation therapy)
- Bring objects that evoke schemas that they are comfortable with
