Schema Flashcards
What is a schema?
A packet of knowledge about an event, person or place that influences how we perceive and remember.
Schema examples
A young child may first develop a schema for a horse. She knows that a horse is large, has hair, four legs, and a tail. When the little girl encounters a cow for the first time, she might initially call it a horse.
How does schema influence memory?
Schemas also affect the way in which memories are encoded and retrieved, supporting the theory that our memories are reconstructive.
How they influence familiarisation?
We change unfamiliar details to align( match up with) our own schema
What is active reconstruction?
Memory is not an exact copy of what we experienced, but an interpretation or reconstruction of events that are influenced by our schema (expectation) when we remember them again.
How they influence transformation?
Details are changed to make them more familiar and rational (make sense).
How they influence omissions?
We leave out unfamiliar, irrelevant or unpleasant details when remembering something. Our schema simplifies the information.
How they influence rationalisation?
We add details into our recall to give a reason for something that may not have originally fitted with a schema.
