Schemas (Schema Theory)
A step to identify long-held beliefs by categorizing them into personal, social, self, and event schemas, helping to uncover core assumptions that shape perception and behavior.
THE IDEA
Step 2: Think About Your Beliefs That You Have Had for as Long as You Can Remember
List your long-held beliefs, whether you developed them yourself or adopted them from someone else. Keep each description concise but specific. To make your list more comprehensive, think of at least five beliefs you have that would fall under each main type of schema:
a. Personal Schemas – beliefs about other people or groups (e.g., “people are generally trustworthy”) b. Social Schemas – beliefs about social roles and norms (e.g., “a good leader is assertive”) c. Self-Schemas – beliefs about yourself (e.g., “I am not good at math”) d. Event Schemas – scripts or expectations about sequences of events (e.g., “a job interview always starts with introductions”)
When to use it
Therapy: Uncover and challenge automatic negative thoughts rooted in self-schemas.
Education: Understand students' preconceptions about subjects to tailor instruction.
Workplace: Identify social schemas that affect team dynamics and collaboration.
Personal growth: Use the exercise to recognize and update outdated beliefs about yourself or others.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Personal Schema Example
Someone believes that “people from certain backgrounds are unfriendly.” This schema might cause them to avoid interaction, reinforcing the belief despite contrary evidence.
Event Schema Example
A student has an event schema that “exams are always timed and stressful.” This belief may lead to anxiety and avoidance of study, even when the exam format is different.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How do your personal schemas influence your expectations of new people you meet?
Think of a self-schema that might be holding you back. Can you find evidence that contradicts it?
What event schemas do you rely on for daily routines, and how might they blind you to alternative approaches?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Thinking in Systems and Mental Models Think Like a Super Thinker (Dawson, Marcus P)