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During a psychology lesson, Saima was asked to recall the contents of her history classroom - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 4
During a psychology lesson, Saima was asked to recall the contents of her history classroom. Some of the items she recalled included; 15 tables, a clock, paper, and ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:During a psychology lesson, Saima was asked to recall the contents of her history classroom - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Using reconstructive memory, describe why Saima incorrectly recalled some items from her history classroom.
Answer
Saima's incorrect recall of items like the clock can be attributed to her existing schema of a classroom, which she has developed based on her prior experiences and teachings. A schema acts as a framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information. In this case, Saima may have believed that a clock was present because it is a typical feature in many classrooms she has experienced. Hence, during recall, she filled the gaps in her memory based on her schematic expectations, leading her to mistakenly insist that a clock was in the room.
Step 2
Explain one strength and one weakness of reconstructive memory as an explanation of Saima’s recall of the items from her history classroom.
Answer
One strength of reconstructive memory is that it allows for the integration of new information with existing knowledge, which can enhance memory retention. For instance, studies like those by Brewer and Treyens (1981) support the notion that people can recall typical classroom items, such as a calendar, based on their expectations of what should be present. However, a weakness is that reconstructive memory can lead to errors in recall due to reliance on schemas. Saima's mistakes, such as believing there was a clock, highlight how her memory may have been influenced more by her existing schema rather than the actual content of her history classroom, leading to inaccuracies.