Categorical and schematic organization in memory

Abstract

Characteristics of categorical, taxonomic organizations of lists of items and schematic organizations of events and scenes are discussed and related to the different methods of remembering that these kinds of organization engender. One of the main differences is that schemata are spatially or temporally organized and categorical organizations are not. Other differences concern the extent of vertical vs horizontal organization, the number and predictability of the units, and the extent to which the 2 types of organization are automatically activated during processing. Characteristic differences in memory are found in serial position effects, input output correspondence, amount recalled, accuracy of recall and recognition, reconstructive activity, intrusions, and false alarms. Developmental and cross-cultural data suggest that schematic organizations are used earlier and more universally than categorical ones. (8 p ref) ((c) 1997 APA/PsycINFO, all rights reserved)