The Effect of Research into Constructive Memory on Our Understanding of EWT

The Effect of Research into Constructive Memory on Our Understanding of EWT

Reconstructive memory refers to the fact that fragments of stored

information are reassembled during recall, and the gaps are filled in

by our expectations and beliefs to produce a coherent narrative.

Bartlett proposed that memory is an active process. We store fragments

of information an when we need to recall something; we reconstruct

these fragments into a meaningful whole. This reconstruction leads to

inaccuracy. Most importantly our past experience, beliefs and

expectations shape the way we reconstruct memory. Past experiences are

stored as schema. Schemas are influenced by cultural expectations as

well as personal experiences.

A study of reconstructive memory carried out by Bartlett,

1932-Bartlett showed a story 'The war of the ghosts', to a participant

and asked them to repeat it back shortly thereafter and then

repeatedly over weeks, months and years. A key feature of the stimulus

material was that it belonged to a culture that was exceedingly

different to that of the participants. Bartlett concluded that all of

these transformations had the effect of making the material easier to

remember. Individuals remembered the meaning and tried to sketch out

the story using invented details. This reconstructed version of events

is easier to remember and therefore becomes our memory for event.

Therefore, this study proclaims that reconstructive memory does really

exist and our memory is altered by our beliefs and expectations-

reconstructive memory.

A well known study which investigates the affects of reconstructive

memory towards eye witness testimony is study carried out by Loftus

and Palmer (1974), The general aim of this study was to investigate

the accuracy of memory after witnessing a car accident. In particular,

it was to see if leading questions distort the accuracy of an eye

witnesses' immediate recall. They found that the participants

estimates of the speed of cars in accidents varied according to the

verb used in the question. Those given the verb 'smashed' estimated a

higher speed (about 41mhp) than the other groups. When participants