Psychology - Memory as an Active Process

• Reconstructive memory


  An active process where we bring small remembered parts together and create a memory that isn't accurate
• Schema


  Packages of information about objects in the world that we use as mental shortcuts
• Effort after meaning


  We remember the overall meaning of a memory but then use mental effort to interpret that memory so it matches our cultural expectations
• Bartlett's study with the "War of the Ghosts" story provided evidence that memory is reconstructive, with participants changing parts of the story to match their cultural schemas
• Not all memories are reconstructed, as memories with emotional significance seem to be accurately recorded
• Factors influencing the accuracy of recall

  • Interference (proactive and retroactive)
  • Context
  • False memories
• Proactive interference


  Old information influences the recall of new information
• Retroactive interference


  New information affects the recall of old information
• Research has shown that recall is more accurate when information is learned and recalled in the same location</b>
• False memories are memories that feel true but didn't actually happen, and can be implanted or result from the reconstructive nature of memory
• Much of the research on the limitations of memory has been conducted in artificial environments, so the findings may not fully apply to real-world memory use