Schema Theory 1 Evaluate schema theory with reference

Schema Theory 1. Evaluate schema theory with reference to research studies

What is schema theory? • One of the many theories about how we organize knowledge • Cognitive structure that provides the framework for organizing the world – People – Places – Events • Cognitive Schema – Networks of knowledge, beliefs and expectations about particular aspects of the world

Mental processing (schemas) guide behavior • Mostly automatic – Processed with little attention • Bottom-up processing (information input) – Based on sensory system • Top-down processing (information is processed by the brain) – Pre-stored information in memory – Interpretation of stimuli • Output in the form of behavior

Active Processors of information School See if you can add 30 pieces of information based on your schools schema

Different terms for schemas • Scripts – Provide information about the sequence of events • Restaurant, dentist, class • Self-schemas – Information about ourselves – Strengths and weaknesses • How we feel about them • Social schemas – Information about groups of people

Any Script Self 10 items per schema Specific Social Group

Gender Schema Societies beliefs about the traits of females and males GENDER SCHEMA Influences processing of social information Influences self-esteem (only behavior or attitudes consistent with gender schema are acceptable

Darley and Gross, 1983 • Aim: investigate whether people’s memory for a story is affected by previous knowledge (schema) and • Procedure “rich girls, poor girl” and success (reference 3. 1 and 3. 2)

Brewer and Treyens, 1981 • AIM: investigate whether people’s memory for objects in a room (an office) is influenced by existing schemas about the office • Method: experiment • Procedure: wait in office with traditional and untraditional office items • Results – Most recalled the schematic objects and very unusual objects – Some reported items that were expected to be in an office • Evaluation – Ecological validity – Deception was necessary, participants were debriefed and there was not harm – Difficult to generalize results college students

How does schema impact memory? • People remember the “gist” – Not exact wording • Reconstructive memory – Filling in the gaps with previous knowledge (schema) • Aschematic information – Ignore information that is not in-line with schema • Leads to bias and stereotype confirmation • Tend to focus on information that confirms schema – Confirmation bias

Evaluation of Schemas Theory • Strengths – Useful in explaining many cognitive processes • Perception, memory, reasoning – Helps us understand reconstructive memory • Eyewitness testimony • Gender identity • Cultural differences • Limitations – Schema theory is too vague – How are they acquired in the first place? – Focuses too much on inaccuracies of memory • Most memory tasks are relatively accurate

Research Organization • Supported by – Darley and Gross, 1983 – Bartlett 1932 – Brewer and Treyens, 1981 – Gauld and Stephenson, 1967 – Bransford and Johnson, 1972 – Macrae et al. , 1994 • But schemas are adaptable…supported by Turnbull, 1961

• Read and take notes on – Bartlett, 1932 Page 71 -73 – Additional research supporting/contradicting Bartlett • Gauld and Stephenson, 1967 • Bransford and Johnson, 1972 • Macrae et al. , 1994 • QUIZ TOMORROW: SAQ – Describe schema theory as it applies to human behavior