SOC 104 Lecture 11: Soc 104 - 11th class
Document Summary
Schemas are a very important way in which cultures exert their influence: namely, by instilling mental structures that influence the very way we understand and interpret the world. Although everyone uses schemas to understand the world, the content of schemas is influenced by our culture. We use schemas because it is important for us to have continuity, to relate new experiences to our past schemas, that people who lose this ability invest schemas where none exist. Korsakov syndrome people who suffer from this neurological disorder have difficulty forming schemas. Schemas are particularly important when we encounter information that can be interpreted in a number of ways, because they help us reduce ambiguity: e. g. Schemas also tend to influence what we remember. Memory errors also tend to be consistent with people"s schemas. Schemas become stronger and more resistant to change over time.
