When Sheila thinks about her doctor's office, she can picture a waiting room with chairs, a fish tank, lots of magazines, and several framed pictures of landscapes and animals. She also can picture her doctor in a lab coat, even though her doctor never wears one to the office. Which of the following helps explain Sheila's memory error?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sheila's memory error can be explained by schemas, which are mental frameworks that organize and interpret information. Sheila's schema of a typical doctor's office includes specific elements such as a waiting room, fish tank, pictures, and a doctor in a lab coat, which may not be accurate but are consistent with her expectations based on prior experiences and cultural norms.

When Sheila Thinks About Her Doctor's Office, She Can Picture