OCR GCSE Psychology - Memory - Reconstructive Memory

What is Reconstructive Memory?

• A theory which suggests that our memory is influenced by our prior experiences and schemas as is not an exact representation of what actually happened.

• A mental representation of an object or situation.

• The process of reconstructing a memory in your head so it is easier to process (e.g. a traumatic event)

The theory of people reconstructing their memories based on prior experiences is called

• Schemas

• Memory Logs

• Schematical Memory

• Retrieval

True or False?

Our perceptions and memories are shaped by prior experiences

• True

• False

True or False?

Schemas are recalled in Chronological (Time) Order

• True

• False

What is Confabulation?

• Making up details to create a more complete memory

• Being confused about an older memory

• The process of forgetting your long term memory

• The process of forgetting your short term memory

What is Distortion?

• This refers to a memory that differs from the event that took place

• Making up details to create a more complete memory

• Having difficulty recalling Long-term memories