bartlett 1932

• reconstructive memory : memory that is influenced by prior knowledge and schemas
• schemas : A packet of knowledge about an event, person or place that influences how we perceive and remember.
• schemas :

  Omissions: Leave out unpleasant or irrelevant detail

  Transformations: We change details to align to our own schema

  Familiarisation: Details are changed to make them suitable

  Rationalisation: We add in details to fit our schemas
• aim : to investigate is memory is reconstructive and whether people store and retrieve information per expectations formed by cultural schemas
• sample : 20 british participants [ 7 women , 13 men ] -> were deceived
• pps were told to read the story twice [ native folk tale] -> then recall using serial reproduction and repeated reproduction
• Serial Reproduction: A technique where participants retell story

  to each other to form a chain.

  Repeated Reproduction: Where participants retell a story over and

  over again
• Serial reproduction: retell it 15-30 mins later.

  Repeated reproduction: write out the story 15 mins later, recall it

  after minutes, days, hours, months and years.
• For both types of recall, participants were found

  making changes and connections (rationalisation). E.g

  ‘black came out his mouth’ to ‘he foamed out the

  mouth.’

  And omissions. ‘canoe’ to ‘boat’ and ‘hunting’ to

  ‘fishing.’
• Participants did not recall accurately but were

  influenced by schemas and altered details to fit

  their schema.
• 7 of the 20 pps omitted the title of the story , 10 transformed the title