Rita's Mental Representation For Halloween Includes Knowledg
Ritas Mental Representation For Halloween Includes Knowledge Beliefs
Rita’s mental representation for Halloween includes knowledge, beliefs, and expectations. Which term is used to describe these characteristics? Develop an example that describes Rita’s mental representation for Halloween, making sure that each of the three aspects mentioned above is included. Your response should be at least 75 words in length. You are required to use at least your textbook as source material for your response. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations (WadWade, Tavris, & Garry, 2014).
Paper For Above instruction
The term used to describe the combination of knowledge, beliefs, and expectations that comprise an individual's mental representation is "cognitive schema" (WadWade, Tavris, & Garry, 2014). These schemas help individuals interpret and respond to their environment based on previous experiences and internalized beliefs.
For example, Rita’s mental representation of Halloween might include her knowledge that the holiday involves costumes, trick-or-treating, and spooky decorations—all learned from past celebrations and cultural exposure. She might believe that Halloween is a fun time for children and that participating in costume parties makes the holiday more enjoyable. Additionally, Rita expects that children will visit her house for treats and that she should prepare candies to hand out. This schema guides her behavior and expectations during Halloween, shaping how she perceives and engages with the holiday.
In summary, Rita’s mental representation is a cognitive schema comprising her knowledge of Halloween traditions, her beliefs about the holiday’s significance, and her expectations about how others will behave. This schema influences her actions, emotions, and attitudes toward the holiday, consistent with concepts discussed by WadWade et al. (2014) regarding mental representations in psychology.
References
WadWade, C., Tavris, C., & Garry, M. (2014). Psychology (11th ed.). Pearson Education.