reconstructive memory (bartlett 1932)

• schemas

  packages of information that store knowledge based on past experiences which help predict future events e.g: robber wears a black mask
• confabulation

  details changed so they are more aligned with someone's schema - makes more sense to the person e.g: if robber is wearing a different coloured mask, may change details to black mask
• levelling

  memories are shortened by removing unimportant details e.g: may remember person walking through the door and not the colour of it
• rationalisation

  parts of the story are changed - sections deemed irrational to persons schema adjusted by changing reasonings behind behaviours e.g: in bartlett's war of ghosts, ppts missed out 'ghosts' and just describe a native american battle
• weakness (counterpoint)

  • lack of internal validity
  • some did recall months after first reading, others years after bartlett got back in touch with his participants
  • as he had participants do their recalls at different times, the comparisons of the participants memories were unfair
• weakness

  • wynn and logie (1998) found differing results
  • tested memory of 1st year psych students recalling events of their 1st week at uni - found, compared to bartletts study, fewer changes in students memories suggesting that because students had schemas for the uni events
  • events that are more familiar or relatable to person changed less so bartletts observations may only be applicable to new events
• strength

  • findings applied to real world to benefit criminal justice system
  • knowledge that memories are unreliable and affected by expectations and previous experiences has led to EWT being not accepted as only piece of evidence in court
  • led to improvements in justice system, pointing out issues with memory
• strength

  • evidence by bartlett war of ghosts story shows how memories can be distorted
  • 20 british ppts asked to recall native american story over differing periods of time - found that memories were shortened & details changed to better fit british expectations & vocb e.g: canoe became boat
  • suggests memories succeptible to change and distortions based on expectations and schemas