Topic 2 – Cognitive
Psychology
Lesson seven – reconstructive memory
(Bartlett, 1972)
Bartlett (1932) Reconstructive Memory
Bartlett insisted on representing memory in real context
He believed memory should not be divided up into its constituent parts and treated as
independent from other functioning
◦ This is?
Bartlett believed memory should be studied in a special way to capture the relationship between
memory and other cognitive processes
What just happened?
Reconstructive memory
Bartlett
Bransford & Johnson (1972)
Bransford & Johnson (1972)
◦ Schema – plans/scripts built up using experiences - affects processing
◦ Pairs – relate this to information processing
◦ Where do schemes play a role?
◦ How could this affect output?
Practical task – read though the story
twice. At your own pace.
Why do you think participants changed the story?
Three patterns of distortion1.
Assimilation/confabulation:
2.
Leveling:
3.
Rationalisation:
Changes became more pronounced depending on the interval e.g. 15 mins, 1 week, 3 weeks etc.
After 2 years it was recalled very briefly.
Evaluation
Which evaluation points are you going to use?
Fill out the evaluation table – or draw your own and complete it ensuring you provide enough
detail to explain your point.
Using the next slide, your ebook and the resources uploaded on the learner space complete the
table.
Evaluation
1. Evidence to support the theory comes from Bartlett (WOTG) and Loftus &
Palmer (1974) (summary on learner space)
◦
Plus Bartlett replicated the study many times and found the same overall
shortening and assimilation. He also reproduced the study using different
stories and images
2. How can we criticise supporting evidence?
1. Bartlett:
2. Loftus and Palmer:
3. Opposing research - Wynn & Logie (1998) (summary on the learner space)
4. Application to Eye witness testimony in courts
5. Reductionist?
H/W APRC – Key Study: Baddeley
(1966b)
•APRC - Using you e-books and extra resources on the learner space
•It is essential for you to understand the study and have your notes in
order for you to be able to participate in the next lesson.
Practice questions/ideas
 Explain 2 strengths and 2 weakness of the theory of reconstructive memory (8 marks)
Evaluate the theory of reconstructive memory (Bartlett, 1932) (8 marks)
Evaluate the theory of reconstructive memory (Bartlett, 1932) (12 marks)
Relating your knowledge to describe a scenario - See exam tip on page 106 of your e-books