Cognitive Schemata

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Cognitive Schemata

Prototypes refer to the structures or features that depict ideal examples. I used the prototype of a police officer to explain how the security personnel appear. The three-year child could pronounce the word police with ease, but he needed a more precise visual image to get much insight into a police officer. I used a large toy of an officer as a prototype to assure the child that such an officer dress casually and puts on a cap as it appears in the prototype.  

Personal constructs help to look at a person or a situation in both perspectives to have a clearer or more in-depth understanding of their nature. I utilized binary constructs to evaluate my friends when I entered university. I always asked myself if a person was bad or good, or if they were caring or uncaring. I was cautious when making friends avoid getting into a bad company that could shift my attention away from my studies.

Stereotypes make people have false beliefs about others because of certain principles or perceptions that guide their actions. I stereotyped during my high school days that university students do a lot of things and barely have time to indulge in non-academic issues. I gained the perception because of the high society’s attitude about learning at the university.

Scripts define how people ought to act in specific contexts or situations. I reacted with fear and disbelief when I heard the death of my beloved friend. I cried and did not say anything for a while. The unexpected death disheartened me, such that I refused to eat for at least two days. I understood my reaction was a script of how someone would act when they receive such news.