What psychological concept helps organize prior knowledge for better interpretation?

Schemas are cognitive structures that help individuals organize and interpret information based on prior knowledge and experiences. They act as mental frameworks that shape the way we process new information, allowing us to categorize and make sense of the world more efficiently.

When encountering new stimuli or situations, schemas enable us to quickly retrieve relevant information from our memory, facilitating understanding and interpretation. For example, if you have a schema for a restaurant, you would know what to expect in terms of the environment, menu, and service dynamics, which helps you navigate the experience effectively.

This organizational function of schemas is crucial in cognitive psychology, as it allows for quicker decision-making and reduces the cognitive load by providing a predetermined framework through which to view new experiences. As individuals accumulate more experiences, their schemas can become more complex and nuanced, enhancing their ability to interpret various scenarios.