With reference to relevant research studies, to what extent is one cognitive process reliable

The extent to which memory is a reliable process has been extensively explored empirically. Despite the importance based on eye witness testimony within legislation, as early as 1932, research indicated that memory is an active reconstructive process (Bartlett, 1932). This means that interpreting events is subjective, and that our memories can be altered after they are created. Schemas are a way of organising information, in order to make sense of a complicated world, and Bartlett (1932) proposed that schemas influence perception. Whilst these may facilitate encoding of information, they may compromise the extent to which events are accurately interpreted (Loftus & Palmer, 1974). This, coupled with the misinformation effect and encoding failures, indicate that careful consideration of the accuracy of this cognitive process is essential.