Schema Theory - S + W

Question 1

Name and define the three aspects of memory distortion, as suggested by Bartlett

Answer 1

Assimilation - the memory becomes consistent with the one’s cultural expectations

Leveling - the memory becomes shorter with each recollection as one omits information they deem unimportant

Sharpening - people change the order of a memory in order to make sense of it, using terms familiar to their culture

Question 2

+ Allport and Postman

Answer 2

Showed p’s an illustration of a white man intimidating a black man with a knife. When asked to recall details of the picture p’s tended to report that it was the black man holding the knife - supports the theory as it backs up the idea of preconceived schemas leading to the distortion of memory

Question 3

+ Brewer and Treyens

Answer 3

Took p’s to a university student office for 35 seconds, before taking them to another room. They were asked to write down as much as they could remember about the office. P’s recalled things of a “typical office” according to their schema, but did not recall the wine and picnic basket that were in the office - supports theory, backing up the concept that memories are distorted as they are recalled to fit with our schemas

Question 4

• How schemas are acquired

Answer 4

It is unclear how schemas are acquired and how people choose between schemas - refutes theory as it suggests it to be reductionist, failing to demonstrate how schemas, a crucial aspect of the theory, are developed

Question 5

• How memory is reconstructed

Answer 5

The theory describes memory as being reconstructive, but does not show the process - refutes theory, as it suggests it to be reductionist