Chapter 8 - General Knowledge

1. This chapter informs us about semantic memory and schemas. Semantic memory refers to our organized knowledge about the world. There are four categories of theories that explain this: the feature comparison model, prototype approach, exemplar approach, and network models. The first three approaches have very similar features, while one I like to call is an outcast. The feature comparison model states that concepts are stored in memory according to a list of features. The prototype approach is where you decide whether an item belongs to a category or not. The exemplar approach says that you first learn specific examples then you classify. Lastly, the network models purpose is a net-like organization of concepts of memory. The last part of the chapter discusses schemas and scripts. A schema is general knowledge about a specific event or situation. Schemas have an important influence on five components of memory: selection, boundary extension, abstraction, interpretation, and integration.
2. I think this chapter fits in because it is more of a generalization of what we have been talking about. We were introduced to schemas and semantic memory in Chapter 5. Now it just goes into more depth about the two.
3. There is not a thing that I am unclear on. I have learned a lot this chapter because it was my turn to be the discussion leader. I have read a lot of great examples and it has helped me have a better understanding of the concept.
4. When applying this to my classroom, I refer to the four approaches to semantic memory. I believe that I go by the prototype mostly in my classroom. I feel that I categorize things before I present them. For example, when teaching a chapter in the book, I always find something else to go with it. When I taught geometry, somehow the chapter didn't include volume, so I made sure I taught that with geometry. The prototype approach states that we store specific information about these individual examples of a category. By categorizing things in the classroom, I think it is beneficial to our students because they are going to be able to recall things better! In conclusion, I think I have used all of the four approaches: feature comparison model, prototype, exemplar, and network model in my classroom. However, I feel that I use the prototype the most.
5. I think that they author does a well job of explaining the prototype approach and I do believe it.
7. This is the first time that I have heard of these approaches. I feel that I use them in everyday life, I just never knew it.
8. I do not have an answer to this question. Sorry!