Similar to repeated recall, respondents are asked to remember a story different lengths after reading/hearing it.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Memories are a reconstructive process, meaning they are not some recordings of past experiences, but a recreation influenced by the present. They comprised of what happened in events and prior knowledge, expectations, and experiences. This contrasts with what some may think about memories being solely representations of events.

Constructive Nature of Memory

Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience. Nelson Education.


Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience

Remembering is not simply reproduction, but construction. Frederic Bartlett proposed that during our experiences, we gain structures of knowledge called “schemas,” which we use to reconstruct and infer when retrieving memories. Research has shown that when schemas are activated, people can make more inferences in reconstruction of memories.

The Inferential Process in Memory

Repeated reproduction

We often construct memories to reaffirm our self-image or perception of our current situation. This also leads us to recall memories that confirm our self-image/circumstances more often. 

Autobiographical Memory

Our behavior is largely due to factors out of our control and awareness (such as heuristics). However, when we are asked to explain our behaviors, we readily provide reasoning for it while reconstructing the event. It often stems from wanting to look good to ourselves and to others.

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