Principle: Mental representations and processes guide behavior.
A difficult concept to first understand, the 'Schema Theory' forms part of the cognitive level of analysis in psychology, and is linked to the first principle how 'mental representations and processes guide behavior'. Schema can be defined as cognitive structures that are derived from prior experience and knowledge, and states that all knowledge is organized within units in the brain. As information is inputted from sensory systems, it is stored in memory, and is primarily used to interpret incoming information. The schema theory was first developed by Bartlett, and has since been investigated by multiple psychologists, most notably including Anderson and Pichert (1978), and also Brewer and Treyens (1981).There are multiple functions and purposes of a human's schema processing, including:
1) Used to organize knowledge to assist recall
2) Guide our behavior
3) Predict likely happenings
4) Make sense of current experiences
The schema theory was first developed by Frederic Bartlett in 1932, a British Psychologist, who was the first professor of experimental psychology at University of Cambridge. Bartlett described how schemata influences memory in his research with ‘The War of the Ghosts’. The aim of his investigation was to investigate whether people’s memory for a story is affected by previous schema's, and also the extent to which memory is reconstructive. Bartlett conducted his method by first telling his participants a story (Native American legend), called “The War of the Ghosts”. He then asked them to reproduce this story over a short period of time. Bartlett later asked the participants to reproduce over a long period of time (months and years). His results showed that participants remembered main idea of the story, and also changed unfamiliar elements with personal cultural expectations (in order to make sense of it). Bartlett's theory became generalized as his results established a cause and effect relationship. However, it was criticized due to a lack of ecological validity and also possible researcher bias. Many studies conducted since have proved and enhanced his theory, which have confirmed it.
Schema's are created sub-consciously, and forms how people organize information in their brains. This theory can be applicable to modern global issues in society today, including how stereotypes are formed and also how people perceive particular events. The theory has limitations, as the formation of schema’s cannot be observed or measured, and can be described to be too vague and hypothetical. The theory is testable through, and priming one’s schema provides insight into learning behavior (Anderson and Pichert). Many studies support the theory, which makes it reliable as it is based on empirical evidence. Schema's can also be generalized, as they depict a cause and effect relationship between two variables. Another important aspect of schema is that it can be applied across all cultures.
The schema theory is insightful as it illustrates how people store and recollect memory in their brains, which may be used to link to current experiences and events occurring.
Adam Gori