The role of schema

• A schema is an internal mental script for how to act or what to expect in a given situation
• Schemas like stereotypes, alter mental processing of incoming information
• Their role in EWT can be negative as what someone expects to see may distort their memory of what actually happened
• Schemas are more detailed as we get older
• They are metal shortcuts that are sometimes referred to as building blocks of knowledge
• Schemas help us process lots of information quickly and allows us to not be overwhelmed with environmental stimuli