Schema Theory 3 4 1 Evaluate schema theory

Schema Theory (3. 4) 1. Evaluate schema theory with reference to research studies 2. Describe schema theory as it applies to human behavior (SAQ)

Environmental

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

Schema based on previous experience Schema influences our perception and behavior NEW Schema

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 – Shown in scientific research

Video on Gestalt Psychology • Read the Gestalt principles on the handout • Label each diagram with the appropriate Gestalt Principle • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=P 7 iqpe. QZ -Fk • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=vho. Sq. SH MIAc

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

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 • Remember Units of knowledge (concepts) are organized into schemas

On a blank piece of Paper 10 items per schema

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)

Activity: • Pick FIVE animate movies and describe the gender schema that is being created in children • Example: – Tiana and Prince Navene in “The Princess and The Frog • Women are hard working and men are lazy and only care about money and good looks

Darley and Gross, 1983 • Aim: investigate whether people’s memory for a story is affected by previous knowledge (schema) • 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 • Darley and Gross, 1983 • Bartlett 1932 – Culture specific scripts • Brewer and Treyens, 1981 • Gauld and Stephensn, 1967 – Follow-up to Bartlett • Bransford and Johnson, 1972 – Focused on process/stages – Bartlett focused on retrieval • Bower et al. 1979 – Script schemas • Macrae et al. , 1994 – Stereotypical knowledge • Turnbull, 1961 – Schemas are adaptable

• QUIZ TOMORROW: SAQ • You will be given a research summary • You will be required to – Summarize theoretical foundation (Why did behavior change in the research? ) – Summarize a follow-up research that supports OR contradicts the research provided » Who, when, aim, method, brief procedure, results, implications as they relate to the previous research and theory

• Small Group activity” – Go through all the research in your notes and discuss how you will summarize theory and which research will you use as a follow-up Theory Research Schema impacts Bartlett, 1932 memory & culture impacts schema…we use culture for our script, self and social schemas Follow-up Turnbull 1961: Schemas are adaptable. Cultural and environmental experience may limit schemas but experience changes schemas