Anwen investigated reconstructive memory by having 40 UK university students read a detailed account of an unfamiliar, traditional matrimonial ritual from a remote Pacific island. After a 3-week delay, the participants were asked to write down everything they could remember about the ritual. Anwen observed that the participants' recalled versions contained many inaccuracies and distortions.
Using your knowledge of reconstructive memory and schema theory, explain why the participants in Anwen's study may have recalled the matrimonial ritual inaccurately.
177 exam-style questions on Edexcel A Level Psychology Content, covering Working memory model, Multi-store model of memory, Episodic and semantic long-term memory, Reconstructive memory and schema theory, Individual differences in memory, and Developmental psychology in memory. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.