Reconstructive memory

Reconstructive memory is one of many possible models memory, which claims that the final form of memories (information) is' '' a combination of reality and our own schemes. '' Equipment of events is not a reproductive but reconstruction process.

Schemes in memory
The schemes are part of our  'semantic part of memory.'  We create them on the basis of our experience and observation. The newly acquired information is then included in the existing or influenced schemes.

The scheme can also be called a "framework". Each individual perceives, stores and organizes his memories in other schemes (frames). Thanks to the fact that we compare our memories with the already existing framework, we are often able to understand new situations.

Studies and Research
[[File: Loftus and Palmer results.  'Frederick Bartlett' 'was one of the first to start reconstructive memory. His best -known study is called   War of the Ghosts  '' (Ghost War, 1932). He presented to the participants by the Canadian Indian legend and watched how its form was changing. He found that the participants changed the form of legend and often adapted it to their own culture (schemes), and things unknown to them for them for them for them. For example, the word canoe has been replaced by English participants as a boat.

'' 'Loftus and Palmer' 'They later devoted themselves to the influence of schemes that relate to specific words. In a study of  1974  'they examined the influence of different words in one question on the final answer. Participants were asked at the speed of the car during the car accident they saw in the video. Different forms of questions were used in individual groups. They varied in the word used: smash, contact, hit, collide, bump. The participants who had the milder word (Contact) tend to assign the lowest speed to the car. Which shows the existence of a particular framework to which the meaning of a particular word falls.

Both studies tried to demonstrate the influence of previous knowledge (context obtained from schemes) on the reproduction of an event.

Real application
Reconstruction memory and its issues are often dealt with in the legal area, especially because of  'eyewitnesses'  and the reliability and truthfulness of their testimony.

related articles

 * Memory and its disorders]
 * Cognitive

used literature

 * NAKONEČNÝ, Milan. Encyklopedie obecné psychologie. 2., rozš. vydání. Praha : Academia, 1997. 437 s. ISBN 80-200-0625-7.


 * RABOCH, Jiří a Petr ZVOLSKÝ, et al. Psychiatrie. 1. vydání. Praha : Galén, 2001. 622 s. ISBN 80-7262-140-8.