Reference no: EM133286026

Question

What are schemas? Describe their essential character. From where do our schemas originate? What social and communicative functions do schemas serve? Some have argued that schemas can be useful tools. On the other hand, Walter Lippmann in 1922 seems to allude to schemas when he says, "We are all captives of the pictures in our head--our belief that the world we have experienced is the world that really exists." Some have argued that schemas may have deleterious consequences for our perception and our social behavior. Perhaps Lippmann might say that we are captives of the schemas we construct and hold in memory. Which position do you hold? Perhaps the answer to this question depends on the existence of moderating factors or the character of the schemas in question. Explicitly describe your position on the value of schemas. Then, be sure to support your position with evidence. If you have not done so, describe how the concept of schemas has been used to explain sophisticated forms of communicative behavior in the field of communication (specifically, Constructivism). Be sure to introduce the concepts of interpersonal construct differentiation, interpersonal construct abstractness, listener adapted persuasion, reflection enhancing discipline, and comforting communication. How do the findings from Constructivism help us to understand our use of schemas as described by Fisk and Taylor?