Final answer:
True, schemata are fundamental in shaping our perception based on previous experiences. They allow for efficient information processing but can lead to misjudgments. Perception is often shaped by our expectations and past experiences due to top-down processing.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, schemata form the basis of how we perceive things based on previous experiences or events. A schema is a mental construct, a concept or mental model that helps in categorizing and interpreting information. When we encounter new stimuli or situations, our brain quickly refers to existing schemata to make sense of it. This process is efficient because it allows us to make immediate assumptions and helps in predicting the environment based on past experiences, thus guiding our behavior and understanding.
For instance, meeting a new person who identifies as a firefighter triggers our 'firefighter schema' making us assume certain attributes about this person. Schemata also help in filling gaps when we receive incomplete information from our surroundings. However, it's important to note that schemata can sometimes lead to misjudgments, as we might apply general assumptions to specific individuals or situations that don't align with those assumptions.
Moreover, the development of schemata is a continuous process, as highlighted by Jean Piaget. Children and adults alike adjust their schemata through assimilation and accommodation, processes that involve integrating new information into existing schemata and altering existing schemata when new, contradictory information is presented. During perception, top-down processing reveals that expectations and past experiences are used to recognize stimuli, which means that perception is not always a perfect reflection of reality but is influenced by our schemata