1. Evaluate schema theory with reference to research studies

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. Any Script
Self
Specific Social Group
10 items per schema

7. Gender Schema

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Read and take notes on QUIZ TOMORROW: SAQ 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