Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M4130

Script Theory

Script Theory
BehaviorHigh supportSocial Psychology
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A theory proposed by Roger Schank and Robert Abelson: a knowledge structure of the expected sequence of events in a specific situation. Scripts help people understand and predict behavior in everyday situations, but can also lead to confusion and false memories when unexpected events occur.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Facilitates situational understanding. In social interaction, cross-cultural communication, and situated learning, understanding how scripts influence behavioral expectations and interpretations. Helps us improve social adaptability by identifying cultural scripts, adapting to different contexts, and flexibly adjusting scripts, thereby avoiding misunderstandings caused by script mismatches.

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Anchor fast decisions

In a given situation, people activate an expected structure of event sequences (a script) to quickly understand and predict behavior; if the script matches, things go smoothly; if not, confusion or even false memories arise (using the script to fill in gaps).

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Script_theoryZH · Explicit
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