The schema theory Flashcards
What are schemas?
A mental representation of everything u know about a person, object, or event
They’re packets of info that are built up through experience
What is assimulating?
Changing schema to fit what we’ve learned by adding new info
What is accommodating?
Changing memories to keep schema the same
How to we accommodate?
Through levelling or sharpening
What is levelling?
Removing/downplaying details from memory
What is sharpening?
Adding or exaggerating details
How does the memory use schemas?
To organise things. When we recall, schemas tell us whats supposed to happen
What was Bartletts ‘War of The Ghosts’ study?
He read a native american story to 20 europeans + told them to recall it through serial reproduction (ppts recall after lengths of time)
What were the results of Bartletts study?
Since it was an unusual story from another culture, ppts made lots of mistakes in recall. More changes made every recall
Bartlett concluded ppts were changing unfamiliar info to fit with own culture
What terminology did Bartlett use to explain his theory?
Transformation, confabulation, simplification, rationalisation
Define transformation:
Story becomes more consistent with ppt’s cultural experiences - details unconsciously changed to suit them
What is confabulation?
New info added (from schemas) to fill a memory so it makes sense
What is rationalisation?
Changing order of story to make more sense by using terms more familiar to culture of ppts
Explain simplification:
Where simple details are missed since we dont understand them/havent paid attention to them
What do we use to process memories?
Perception, imaging
