Topic > Reconstructive Memory and Effective Memory Theory

So an important reminder is that reconstructive memory theory was developed by Bartlett based on this work. The theory, however, is not intended to discredit all memories by calling them inaccurate. In fact, some researchers such as Gallo (2006) have established that some reconstructed memories are usually very accurate. However, whether flashbulb memories are completely accurate is questionable, since, as previously mentioned, the large amount of emotions experienced during the actual occurrence of the event could trigger biological as well as psychological processes, which could in turn influence the cognitive process associated with memory development and recovery. However, the fact that some part of the reconstructive memory may be true should motivate the psychologist to strive and find a way to determine whether a memory is true or false (Postarino & Doyle-Portillio 2013). In addition to Barlett's studies, various other studies (Loftus and Palmer 1974; Bransford and Johnson, 1973, Underwood, 1965; Deese, 1959) cited in Bartholomew (2001) have found that memory reconstruction can be distorted leading to false memories. The question therefore that remains confusing is how one can identify facts from false memory. Identifying factual memory from false memory is one of the biggest challenges human memory research faces. Reconstructive memory theory has found its use in various fields including psychology, law, and law enforcement. Appreciating reconstructive memory theory could motivate researchers to analyze memory more deeply, to ensure that memory is indeed the true representation of the past. Three tools or techniques recommended by different researchers could be used to perform the analysis (Bernstein & Loftus, 2009).A...... middle of the article......181.Postarino, E., & Doyle -Portillo, S. (2013). What are psychological essentials (2nd ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing. Schacter, D. L., & Slotnik, S. D. (2004). The cognitive neuroscience of memory distortion. Neuron, 44, 149-160.Vrij, A. (2005). Criterion-based content analysis: A qualitative review of the first 37 studies. Psychology, public policies and law, 11, 3-41. Vrij, A., Akehurst, L., Soukara, S., & Bull, R. (2004). Let me tell you how to tell a convincing story: CBCA and reality monitoring scores as a function of age, coaching, and deception. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 36, 113-126.Watson, J. M., Bunting, M. F., Poole, B. J., & Conway, A. R. (2005). Individual differences in susceptibility to false memory in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 31(1), 76-85.