Schema Theory

• Schema theory


  Schema theory claims that all knowledge is organized into units or schemas, which are cognitive structures that help us interpret and understand the world.
• Components of Schema Theory

  • Schemas: Mental frameworks that organize and interpret information.
  • Types of Schemas:
  • Scripts: Schemas about sequences of events (e.g., going to a restaurant).
  • Self-schemas: Schemas about oneself.
  • Social schemas: Schemas about how people behave in certain social situations.
• Functions of Schemas:

  • Influence attention and the absorption of new knowledge.
  • Help to predict outcomes based on past experiences.
  • Enable efficient information processing by creating shortcuts in thinking.
  • Contribute to memory reconstruction and retrieval.
• Conclusions of the study conducted by Allport and Postman (1947)

  • The study indicates that memory is reconstructed based on schemas.
  • Memories changed with each retelling, influenced by participants' social schemas or stereotypes.
  • Supports reconstructive memory theory and the idea that schemas influence memory recall.
• Methods Used to Study Cognitive Processing

  • Example of an experimental method in cognitive psychology.
  • Shows causation: Schema activation leads to better memory.
  • IV: Activation of schema (title given or not).
  • DV: Memory of the passage.
  • Controlled Variables: Same passage used for all conditions, memory operationalized as the number of ideas remembered.
• Strengths of Schema theory


  • Explains complex phenomena such as false memories.
  • Extensive experimental support, providing a basis for cause and effect relationships.
  • Robust application across various fields of psychology.
  • Supported by biological evidence indicating brain categorization of information.
• Limitationsof schema theory


  • Many studies lack ecological validity.
  • Concept of schema may be too vague and hypothetical.
  • Limited predictive power for specific individual recall, only predicting general trends.
•  Processes Involving Schemas


  • Assimilation: Integrating new information into existing schemas.
  • Accommodation: Modifying existing schemas or creating new ones in response to new information.
• Testability


  • Supported by Studies: Various experimental studies test the theory (e.g., Bransford and Johnson).
  • Artificial Nature: Many studies lack ecological validity.
  • Biological Support: Evidence from studies like Mahon et al. (2009) shows the brain categorizes information.
• Evidence


  • Experimental: Studies show schema activation improves memory (e.g., Bransford and Johnson).
  • Biological: Mahon et al. (2009) found that the brain categorizes information.
• Application


  • Memory Explanation: Explains false/distorted memories, unlike other models.
  • Practical Use: Applied in education, therapy for depression/anxiety, relationships, and health campaigns.
• Construct Validity


  • Criticism: Concept of schema is too vague and hypothetical (Cohen, 1993).
  • Measurement: Schemas are difficult to observe and measure.