Schema Theory Project

What's Schema?
Schema Theory
Schema Theory: Cognitive theory about information processing

What we know influences information processing

Assumes humans are active processors of information
Weaknesses
More!
People adapt perception based on previously learned schemas

A change in schema (i.e. perspective change) increases memory retention

Strengths
Strengths:

Useful for understanding how people categorize information, interpret stories, & make inferences

understanding memory distortions & social cognition.
Studies/
Experiments
Study of reconstructive memory

Goal: investigate effects of schema on a person's ability to recall events. Bartlett discovered that test subjects adapted the stories to fit their previous memories. These changes cause distortions and inaccurate memory recall. Memory is active, not passive
Bartlett (1932)
Goal - investigate if schema
processing instance influences
coding and retrieval.

Discovered that a change in schema allowed for increased knowledge.
Anderson & Pichart ('78):

Video of two little girls playing. One girl in a rich environment, one in a poor environment.
People said the rich girl would have a better future.

Showed that people
used pre-stored
schemas to
interpret information.
Darley & Gross:
Quiz
1. Schema theory is a...

A) Theory about communicating with dinosaurs
B) Theory about information and memory processing
C) Theory about stimuli
D) Theory about computer development




2. Which of the following statements about schema theory is false?

A) It’s useful for understanding how people’s minds categorize information
B) It has contributed to understanding memory distortions
C) A person's brain fills in the blanks in memory based on past experiences
D) Memory process is divided into 3 main stages: Shipping, Packaging, Delivery
3. Psychologists fully understand how schemas are acquired and how they influence people’s cognitive process? (True/False)

4. A schema is previous knowledge regarding
previous tasks that allow an individual to interpret information and accomplish tasks. (True/False)

5. Circle the following correct statements.

A) Studies have shown that individuals all interpret information in relatively the same manner, regardless of previous experiences
B) Different schemas increase the likelihood of memory retention
C) Studies have shown that individuals will adapt their perception of events to fit with their previously learned schemas
D) Memory is entirely accurate, and is unrelated to a person's acquired schemas