Evaluate Schema Theory

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3.2 Evaluate Schema Theory Introduction: A cognitive schema can be defined as a mental representation of knowledge stored in the brain. The concept of schemas, also called script, frame or template, was first introduced by Jean Piaget in 1926It can be seen as a network of knowledge, beliefs and expectations about particular aspects of the world. Since the capacity of memory creates limitations to remembering specific details of experiences, schemas provide a simplified representation of these experiences. Bartlett’s Study: Barlett is often acknowledged as the first psychologist to make a link between schema theory and memory, despite that he did not use the term schema. During research on reconstructive memory, Barlett found evidence that our long-term memories are not permanent, but are constantly changed and adjusted with experience. In Bartlett’s study, he recorded the detail of a reproduced Native American folk tale called “War of the Ghosts”. Participants heard the story and reproduced it after a short time and then repeatedly over a period of months or years (serial reproduction). The participants remembered the main idea of the story but they changed unfamiliar elements to make sense of the story by using terms more familiar to their cultural expectations. The story remained a coherent whole although it was changed. It became noticeably shorter for each reproduction. Bartlett concluded that remembering is an active process. Memories are not copies of experience but rather reconstructions. Bartlett’s study has provided critical evidence to schema theory. However, the participants included only British males, so the results could not be generalized to other cultures and the female gender. The participants did not receive standardized instructions and some of the memory distortions may be due to participant’s guessing (demand characteristics).
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