Stanford University Communications Essay

Assume that our understanding of “self” is ONE among several types of cognitive structures that constitute our entire memory (e.g., we also have role schemas, person schemas, scripts, collective forms of memory, etc.). Also assume that the “self” (self-schemata) is a central cognitive structure that organizes all other cognitive structures in memory. Develop an explanation for how the “self” structures and organizes all other cognitive structures. Be sure that your explanation describes WHY the self is this central cognitive structure. As you develop these explanations you should describe your view of the “self” by incorporating the many perspectives discussed in class (e.g., the ideal self, feared self, possible self, etc.). Your explanation should draw on material from Fiske and Taylor and class discussions (including Cognitive Experiential Self Theory and our discussion of schemas prior to the midterm). Your explanation will be your own theory of the way memory works. Describe how your explanation of human memory is related to one or more of the forms of communication we discussed this semester.