Schemas

Let's do (well, actually replicate, thanks to Bransord and Johnson-- gotta cite those sources). I want you to read this passage and, without cheating, memorize as much of it as possible. Better yet, just try to understand it:

The procedure is actually quite simple. First you arrange things into different groups. Of course, one pile may be sufficient depending on how much there is to do. If you have to go somewhere else due to lack of facilities that is the next step, otherwise you are pretty well set. It is important not to overdo things. That is, it is better to do too few things at once than too many. In the short run this may not seem important but complications can easily arise. A mistake can be expensive as well. At first the whole procedure will seem complicated. Soon, however, it will become just another facet of life. It is difficult to foresee any end to the necessity for this task in the immediate future, but then one never can tell, After the procedure is completed one arranges the materials into different groups again. Then they can be put into their appropriate places. Eventually they will be used once more and the whole cycle will then have to be repeated. However, that is part of life

Okay. Now memorize it. I'll wait...

Not happening, right? Now I'm gonna let you in on something. This passage was about laundry. Now that you know this, go back and read it again. And see if you can understand/memorize it.

Better?

It's called schemas, or conceptual representations of our world. You see, memory is much more than mere, memorizing, for lack of a sufficient word. It's pretty cool. How many times have you gone into a classroom? Yet, I bet if I took you into a completely different classroom in a completely random town and you saw the desks, the board, etc., you'd know where you were. You'd also know how to behave (don't talk, raise your hand, learning environment). We have this "classroom schema" that kicks in, letting us know these things. This is how our brain operates, this is how we make sense of the world. There's more on this, but I have Finals to study for...

-Chastity M.