how schemas are formed

how schemas are formed??

Schemas are something that adults also have and continue to develop and change throughout life. Object schemas are just one type of schema that focus on what an inanimate object is and how it works. For example, most people in industrialized countries have a plan for what a car is. Your general plan for a car might include subschemas for different types of cars, such as a compact, sedan, or sports car. Other types of schemas that people often have include:

Personal schemas are focused on specific people. For example, your schema about your friend might include information about his or her appearance, behaviors, personality, preferences, and interests.

Social schemas involve general knowledge about how people behave in specific social situations.

Self schemas focus on your knowledge about yourself. This can include both your current self and ideas about your ideal or future self.

 Event schemas focus on behavioral patterns that should be followed for certain events. This is like a framework that tells you what to do in different situations, how to dress, how to behave, and what to say in different situations.

How do schemas change?

The processes by which programs are adjusted or modified are known as assimilation and accommodation. In assimilation, new information is incorporated into existing schemas. This process can be positive or negative. It has a positive effect when the new information is consistent with the previous one and enriches the previous structures. Negative effects occur when the person tries to assimilate an incongruent experience. In this case, the experience is distorted and assimilated in a consistent form.

In adaptation, existing programs may change or new programs may be formed as new information and new experiences are learned. In this case, either old schemas are modified and adjusted or a new schema is formed.

Schemas are easier to change in childhood, but as people grow older, they become rigid and difficult to modify. These schemes often persist even in the face of evidence that contradicts their beliefs.  In many cases, people will only slowly change their plans if they are constantly presented with evidence that is different from previous experiences.