1. Schema Theory (3.4)
Evaluate schema theory with reference to research studies
Describe schema theory as it applies to human behavior (SAQ)

2. Environmental

3. 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

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

5. 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

7. Video on Gestalt Psychology
Read the Gestalt principles on the handout
Label each diagram with the appropriate Gestalt Principle

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

9. 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

10. On a blank piece of Paper
10 items per schema

11. Gender Schema

12. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. QUIZ TOMORROW: SAQ You will be given a research summary
You will be required to
Summarize the 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

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