Cognitive Approach: Reconstructive Memory
Human Memory
Not an exact copy of events; people store information in a way that makes the most sense to them.
Theory of Reconstructive Memory
Memory is not passive retrieval of information from long term memory, but rather an active reconstruction of the memory each time its recalled
Schema Processing
We tend to reconstruct the memory to fit within our schema, which can result in distortion or inconsistent details
Confabulation
a distorted, misinterpreted, or fabricated memory believed to be true, in spite of contradictory evidence.
Study Used
Loftus and Plamer (1974)