Schema Theory Review

What is a schema?

• A) A part of the brain that stores all long-term memories

• B) A type of brain cell responsible for memory storage

• C) A theory that suggests memory is completely fixed and unchangeable

• D) A mental framework based on prior knowledge that helps people interpret information

How does schema theory explain memory distortion?

• A) People forget everything they learn within 24 hours

• B) People selectively encode and recall information that aligns with their existing schemas

• C) People remember only negative experiences and ignore positive ones

• D) People store memories in a completely unbiased and neutral way

Which of the following is an example of a stereotype that might influence memory?

• A) Assuming all doctors are men and all nurses are women

• B) Remembering every single detail of an event with 100% accuracy

• C) Forgetting your own name during a stressful situation

• D) Recalling facts from a completely unbiased perspective

What was the aim of Cohen’s (1981) study?

• A) To investigate how schemas influence memory recall
  

• B) To examine the impact of stress on eyewitness memory

• C) To determine if people can improve memory with training

• D) To study how long-term memory works in children

In Cohen’s study, what were participants told about the woman in the video?

• A) That she was either a nurse or a teacher

• B) That she was either a librarian or a waitress

• C) That she was a student studying psychology

• D) That she was a lawyer discussing a case

What did the video include?

• 
  A) A scripted conversation about memory and learning

• B) A neutral scene with no stereotype-related details

• C) A quiz about job professions

• D) Details that fit both the librarian and waitress stereotypes

What were the main findings of Cohen’s (1981) study?

• A) Participants recalled all details equally, regardless of the assigned occupation schema

• B) Participants forgot most of the information due to stress

• C) Participants remembered details that were consistent with the assigned occupation schema

• D) Participants could only recall details that were repeated multiple times

How does this study support schema theory?

• A) It shows that memory is entirely random and unreliable

• B) It demonstrates that pre-existing schemas influence which details people encode and recall

• C) It proves that all memories are 100% accurate

• D) It suggests that memory is only affected by emotions, not prior knowledge

What are some limitations of Cohen’s (1981) study?

• A) It relied on artificial lab conditions, which may not reflect real-world memory recall

• B) It only tested participants once, so long-term memory effects were not examined

• C) Participants may not have stereotypes/schemas for waitress/librarian occupations

• D) All of the above

How could Cohen’s (1981) study be improved?

• A) By testing memory recall in real-world settings

• B) By using a more diverse sample of participants

• C) By including long-term memory testing

• D) All of the above