Shema Theory Essay

Shema Theory Essay

1. The theory studies:

   • How humans process incoming information, relate it to existing knowledge and use it.
     • Its based in the assumption that:
       • Humans are active processors of information, and that we do not passively respond to information.
         • If information is missing:
           • The brain fills in the blanks based on existing schemas. This can lead to mistake, like: memory distortion and errors in decision making.

2. Essay Organization:

   • Parragraph 2:
     • Exand on the explanation of schema theory
   • Parragraph 3
     • Supporting Studies:
       • Barlett "War of the Ghosts" (1932)
       • Anderson and Pichert (1978)
       • Brewer and Treyens "Picnic Basket" (1981)
   • Parragraph 4:
     • Evaluation of Schema Theory
       • Strengths
       • Limitations
   • Parragraph 5:
     • Conclusion
   • Parragraph 1:
     • Definition of Schema
     • Introductory sentence (Hook)
     • Types of schemas
     • Define briefly Schema Theory
     • State the main points and porpuse of the essay.

3. Strengths:

   • -Uncovers memory distortion
   • -Insightful understanding to how people categorize information
   • -There is many types of research evidence and studies to support it.

4. Limitations:

   • -Describes memory as being reconstructive, but does not show the process
   • -Too vague
   • -Formation of schemas cannot be tested
   • -Not yet entirely clear how schemas are acquired in the first place

5. Studies examples:

   • Bartlett – “War of the Ghosts” (1932)
     • Aim: To investigate the schemata influence on memory retrieval.
   • Brewer & Treyens “Picnic Basket” (1981)
     • Aim: To see whether a stereotypical schema of an office would affect memory (recall) of it.
   • Anderson & Pichert (1978)
     • Aim: To investigate if schema processing influences encoding and retrieval.

6. Types of Shemas:

   • Scripts
     • Provide information about the sequence of events that occur in particular contexts (e.g. going to a fancy restaurant).
   • Self-schemas
     • Organise information we have about ourselves ( our strengths and weaknesses and how we feel about them).
   • Social schemas
     • Represent information about groups of people (e.g. stereotypes)

7. Definition of Shema:

   • Mental representation that come from prior experience and knowledge.
     • They help:
       • Predict what to expect based on what has happened before.
       • Organize our knowledge, to assist recall, guide our behaviour and make sense of current experiences

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