Remembering – Frederick Bartlett – 1932
Remembering: A Study in Experimental and Social Psychology by Frederick Bartlett
What the Book Explores
Frederick Bartlett’s Remembering, first published in 1932, is a seminal work in cognitive psychology, specifically concerning the reconstructive nature of memory. Bartlett challenged the prevailing view of memory as a precise recording device, arguing instead that memories are actively reconstructed during recall, influenced by a person’s prior knowledge, beliefs, and cultural context. The book details experiments where participants were asked to recall stories from unfamiliar cultures. He observed systematic distortions in their recollections, showing how individuals tend to reshape information to fit their own schemas – organized patterns of thought or behavior. The core argument revolves around the concept of ‘schema’ and how these influence encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
Historical / Cultural Context
Bartlett’s work emerged during a period of significant intellectual shifts. The behaviorist school of psychology, dominant in the early 20th century, focused on observable behaviors and largely dismissed the study of internal mental processes. Bartlett, trained in a more holistic tradition influenced by Wundt, sought to reintroduce the investigation of cognitive processes. His research was also informed by the anthropological interests of the time, specifically the study of cultural transmission and the ways in which narratives are shared and altered across generations. The book reflects a growing dissatisfaction with purely mechanistic models of the mind and paved the way for the cognitive revolution in psychology. His work also has roots in early Gestalt psychology, with its focus on how the mind organizes perceptions and experiences.
Who This Book Is For
Remembering is primarily aimed at students and scholars in psychology, cognitive science, anthropology, and related fields. However, its insights are accessible to anyone interested in understanding the complexities of human memory and the influence of culture on cognition. It’s a foundational text for anyone wishing to understand how memory functions beyond simple recall, and the distortions that are inherent in the process. While it contains detailed experimental methodology, the core concepts are presented in a clear and engaging manner. It offers valuable insights to those interested in the power of narrative, how stories shape understanding, and the dynamics of cultural transmission.
Further Reading
- Ulric Neisser, Cognitive Psychology (1967): A foundational text in the cognitive revolution, building upon Bartlett’s work.
- Elizabeth Loftus, Eyewitness Testimony (1996): Explores the fallibility of memory in real-world contexts, particularly in legal settings, and the influence of suggestive questioning.
- Jerome Bruner, Toward a Theory of Instruction (1966): Discusses the role of representation and schema in learning and cognitive development, expanding on Bartlett’s concepts.
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