Schema Theory

Question 1

What are schemas 2p

Answer 1

Schemas are mental representations that organize our knowledge, beliefs and expectations.

Cognitive structures derived from prior experience and knowledge

Question 2

What do schemas do

Answer 2

Used to
Organize knowledge
assists recall
guide behavior
predict likley happenings

Question 3

Can they be observed directly?

Answer 3

Since they cannot be observed directly, we look at memory as they influence memory processes at all stages like encoding, storage and retrieval.

Question 4

Reaserchers study

Answer 4

Bransford and Johnson (1972)

Question 5

Aim of branson and johnson (1972) and what stage of memory does it fit

Answer 5

measure the effect of context on comprehension and memory

fits inside the stage of encoding.

Question 6

Method and sample

Answer 6

Independent measures design
5 groups of participants.

Question 7

Dependant and independant V

Answer 7

All participants heard a tape recording pasage

IV: absence or presence of the context provided as an image
DV: Number of phrases the participants could recall

Question 8

After listeing to the tape, participants needed to…

Answer 8

Recall it as accurately as possible or write down main ideas in 7 minutes

Question 9

What were the 5 conditions

Answer 9

No context 1: Heard recording once
No context 2: Heard recoding twice
Context before: context picture before hearing
Context after: context after participants heard pasage
partial context: context provided before but objects arranged incorrectly

Question 10

Results

Answer 10

No context, after context or partial context = 3.6-4 idea units
Prior context = 8 ideas

Question 11

Conclusion and why supports schema theory

Answer 11

It supports the schema theory because the finding showed that giving a full context picture creates a mental representation of the information given after. So, after the schema has been created, it influences how we comprehend information and therefore the ability to keep that information in our memory.

Schemas help influence the way we encode information.

Question 12

Structure

Answer 12

Intro
- what are schemas
-what do schemas do
-stage of process - encoding

study
- Brandford and Johnson (1972)
- aim: effect of context
- method: indepentant measure design
- IV and DV - context effect
- 5 conditions
- results : 3.6 - 4 ,,, 8

Conlusion

giving a full context picture creates a mental representation of the information given after.

Schemas help influence the way we encode information.

after the schema has been created, it influences how we comprehend information and therefore the ability to keep that information in our memory.