Schema in Psychology (Explained in 3 Minutes)

- [Instructor] Imagine
organizing your room

without any shelves or drawers.

Sounds chaotic, right?

That's kind of how your brain
would work without schemas.

It's personal filing system
for understanding the world.

What exactly is a schema?

Think of it like a mental template,

a prebuilt picture of things
you've encountered before.

When you see a dog, your
dog schema kicks in,

filling in the blanks,

furry, wags its tail, and barks.

Schemas help you make sense
of new information quickly

and efficiently without
starting from scratch each time.

Why are schemas so useful?

Imagine seeing a new
restaurant for the first time.

You wouldn't need to analyze
every detail like the tables

and chairs to know it's a restaurant.

Your restaurant schema would
tell you, they serve food,

you order from a menu,
and you pay after eating.

Schemas save you time and mental energy,

letting you focus on the unique aspects

of the new experience.

Different types of schemas.

Think of your brain's filing system

as having separate folders
for different things.

You have schemas for
objects: cars, houses, food,

anything you can interact with.

Events: going to school, playing
sports, attending a party.

What happens in how it unfolds?

People: teachers, friends, family,

their roles, personalities,

and how you interact with them.

Roles: doctor, athlete, student,

what someone does and how they behave.

Self: your own likes, dislikes,
skills and experiences.

Your unique place in the world.

How do schemas develop?

Think back to when you were little.

Your first dog schema

might have been based on seeing pictures

or meeting one friendly pup.

As you encounter more dogs,
your schema gets updated.

You learn that some bark loudly,

some are small, and some chase squirrels.

Schemas constantly evolve
with new experiences.

The ups and downs of schemas.

Schemas are powerful,

but they can sometimes lead
to shortcuts and biases.

You might have a teacher schema

that expects them to be strict,

which could make you nervous

around a more laid back instructor.

This is where critical thinking comes in,

questioning your initial assumptions

and being open to new information.

Remember, schemas are your brain's way

of organizing the world.

They help you understand new
things quickly and efficiently.

Different types of schemas
exist for different things.

They develop and change
based on your experiences.

Be aware of potential biases
and use critical thinking.