Remembering and Telling: Narrative Coherence and Phenomenal Aspects of Autobiographical Memories
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Investigated the relationship between phenomenal qualities of autobiographical memories and narrative structure of written reports of them. In Experiment 1, 30 undergraduates provided 2 reports, the most momentous event of their lives (MPE) and their earliest childhood recollection (ECR). Reports were coded for 2 variables: narrative coherence (NC), and event specificity (SP). No significant relationship was found between NC and SP, nor between SP and type of event. Experiment 2 asked 40 undergraduates to report MPEs and correlated NC and subjective ratings of events from the Autobiographical Memory Questionnaire (AMQ): vividness of imagery, recollection, importance, consequences, and rehearsal. A significant correlation between importance rating and the orientation index points out to the flashbulb aspect of the memories. Significant correlation between volume report and recollection indicates an interaction between higher indices of recollection and individual's predisposition to report the event in written form. Results did not corroborate a hypothesis of identity between autobiographical memory representation and expression.
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2161579606