Bransford's schema theory

Bransford's schema theory suggests that our understanding of new information is influenced by the frameworks or "schemas" we already have. These schemas are mental structures that help us organize and interpret knowledge based on past experiences. When we encounter new information, we relate it to these existing schemas, which helps us make sense of it. In the context of general knowledge, this means that what we already know shapes how we learn and remember new facts, allowing us to integrate new ideas more effectively.