What is schema theory?
Anderson (1984b) defines schema as an abstract structure of information that serves two functions: summarizing information about particular cases and representing relationships among concepts. Additionally, each schema consists of a set of expectations, and comprehension does not occur unless those expectations are met. Without a schema, Anderson (1984b) contends that learning can be slow and uncertain. Proponents of schema theory suggest that all knowledge is packaged into units (Anderson, 1984a). In addition to being packaged into units, schemata are organized knowledge as opposed to being simply lists of information (Schallert, 1982). They represent all the knowledge that is associated with a particular concept and not just essential definitional information. Schemata may be formed and used without conscious awareness. Schemata may exist for both events and objects, and they represent the generalized concepts underlying those events, objects, and actions — in other words, te stereo
