Roconstructive memory

Question 1

Who came up with the reconstructive memory idea

Answer 1

Bartlett (1932)

Question 2

What did he say reconstructive memory was

Answer 2

Fragments of previous memories coming together to make a whole
- Memory was a whole, had to be reconstructive

Question 3

How did he test this idea of reconstructive memory

Answer 3

Showed participants ‘War of the Ghosts’ story
- They read it and reproduced it 15 minutes later
- Then another person read the new version
- and so on and so on

Question 4

What did Bartlett find as a result of this

Answer 4

Story had changed and became shorter.
- Some phrases altered to match participants culture
- Words like ‘canoe’ changed to ‘boat’

Question 5

What was the transformation of the story called

Answer 5

Rationalisation

Question 6

What does rationalisation mean

Answer 6

Changing phrases to match ones culture

Question 7

What type of reproductiong did Bartlett use for his war of ghosts story

Answer 7

Serial reproduction

Question 8

What is serial reproduction

Answer 8

one person reads a set of information before reproducing it for another person, who then reproduces it for a third person, who does the same for a fourth, and so on.

Question 9

What theory did Bartlett develop as a result of his experiment to try and explain the results

Answer 9

Schema theory

Question 10

What is a schema

Answer 10

Package of memory containing all stored memory of the world

Question 11

How do schemas work

Answer 11

During an experience you activate a relevant schema (if you go to the cinema you use ur cinema schema)

• allows us to process info by guessing what will happen based off past experiences

Question 12

What is a weakness of this theory

Answer 12

It’s wrong to suggest that all memories are inaccurate or affected by schemas.

Question 13

Weakness of this theory: Evidence to suggest not all memory is inaccurate

Answer 13

In situations that are personally important or distinctive, we remember considerable amount of detail

example: in war of ghosts participants recalled ‘something black came out my mouth’ because it was unusual.

Question 14

Weakness of theory: what does this evidence suggest

Answer 14

People do not always reconstruct memories, and when they do, it can be very accurate.

Question 15

What is a strength of the application of this theory

Answer 15

This theory can be used to explain problems such as eye-witness testimony

Question 16

Strength of application: Explain EWT

Answer 16

• Used in courts to gain knowledge of what happened in a crime scene

Example: an eye witness might say they saw a paticular person at a crime scene whereas later evidence suggests differently

Question 17

Strength of application: How does Bartlett’s research link with EWT

Answer 17

Showed that memory can be affected by schemas, which include expectations on what we think should happen.

Question 18

Strength of application: What research proved the link with the schema theory and EWT

Answer 18

Loftus and Palmer shown people do not always recall what they see accurately.

Question 19

Strength of the theory and research

Answer 19

The theory is based on research that is realistic.

Question 20

Strength of theory and research: how is the research realistic

Answer 20

Getting participants to read and recall a piece of information is realistic and this can be done in places like schools, or the work place. It tests cognitive ability which all humans have.