When what seems like the most appropriate schema is activated, inferences are generated to fill in any necessary but inexplicit details with assumed values from the schema. If no relevant schema is retrieved from long-term memory a new schema is created. Explicit events and inferences, as well as new schemas, are stored in long-term memory. Schema theory is consistent with the notion of both perception and recall as constructive and selective cognitive processes. There are several kinds of schemas.
Scripts consist of a sequential list of the characteristic events involved in a common routine.
Scripts are, of course, culturally-variable. Stereotypes can be seen as role schemas for members of an identifiable group. They include gender stereotypes and racial stereotypes, but are not always negative. Person schemas contain knowledge about different types of people, including their personality traits and goals. They often refer to associated contexts.