The valence and the functions of autobiographical memories: Does intensity matter?

Wolf, Tabea; Pociūnaitė, Justina; Hoehne, Sophie; Zimprich, Daniel

doi:10.1016/j.concog.2021.103119

Cited by 11 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…However, not only the type of memory, whether it is positive or negative, can relate to memory use, but also the strength of emotional re-experience while recalling the memory, that is, intensity. For instance, Wolf et al (2021) found that emotionally intense memories were less frequently used for self and identity purposes but more frequently used within social interactions.…”

Section: Memory Emotionalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Memories that a person retains and considers important are usually emotional; as mundane, less important memories are more likely to remain neutral (Holland & Kensinger, 2010). While emotionality is an integral part of remembering and related to how memories are used in daily life (e.g., Harris et al, 2014; Wolf et al, 2021), how emotionality is associated with the use of memories about lost loved ones is yet to be studied. In addition to memory emotionality, it is essential to consider a person's specific context when focusing on memory use, because what we remember and for what reasons we use our memories is influenced by personal goals (Conway & Pleydell‐Pearce, 2000) and current needs (Bluck et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, not only the type of memory, whether it is positive or negative, can relate to memory use, but also the strength of emotional re‐experience while recalling the memory, that is, intensity. For instance, Wolf et al (2021) found that emotionally intense memories were less frequently used for self and identity purposes but more frequently used within social interactions. Hence, intensity seems a promising addition to emotional valence because it also relates to how frequently (Talarico et al, 2004) and for what reasons memories are used (Baddeley & Singer, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First, we examined whether memory characteristics that have been studied and identified as relevant to memory use in an everyday context (i.e., valence and intensity) are also associated with the use of memories about the lost loved one (e.g., Harris et al, 2014; Wolf et al, 2021). We expected a more negative valence of these memories to be associated with ruminative reasons for remembering the lost loved one.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

Pociunaite,

Wolf

2023

Applied Cognitive Psychology

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Remembering the lost loved one is an integral part of bereavement process. While we know from prior research that memories in general are used for specific reasons (e.g., for identity processes or within social relationships), it is unclear for what reasons people remember their lost loved ones. Based on previous literature, we assumed that memory emotionality and bereavement reaction are associated with why people reminisce about their lost loved ones. In total, 100 adults reported up to 10 of their most important memories about a lost loved one and rated them regarding emotional valence, intensity and different types of memory use. Participants also rated their feelings of grief and personal growth post‐loss. Findings demonstrate that memories about lost loved ones are used in ways considered adaptive and maladaptive. Importantly, the reasons for remembering lost loved ones are strongly associated with emotional qualities of memories and the individual bereavement reaction.

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Section: Memory Emotionalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

Pociunaite,

Wolf

2023

Applied Cognitive Psychology

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“…Apparently, even if memories carry negative emotions, they may be suitable for functional use in different contexts (Burnell et al 2020). A recent study indicates that the functions of memories may vary not only according to the emotional valence of the memory used but also according to its intensity (Wolf et al 2021). In line with the functional perspective, the comparison of different types of autobiographical memories defined within the framework of different functions in the context of the emotion-memory relationship may enrich our perspective on autobiographical memory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bellek Özelliklerinde Duygu İçeriğinin Etkisi: Duygusal Değer, Duygusal Yoğunluk ve Tekil Duygular

Boyacıoğlu

Konukoğlu

Ergiyen

2022

Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar

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The aim of the present study is to examine the relationships between the emotional valence and emotional intensity of autobiographical memories and the phenomenological characteristics of memories in the context of individual emotions and memory types. Seven hundred and sixty-four students (514 female, 250 male) from Dokuz Eylul University participated in the study. Participants were asked to recall an childhood memory, a self-defining memory, or a romantic relationship memory. After thinking about the memory they remember, they were requested to fill out the Autobiographical Memory Characteristics Questionnaire and a scale for intensity of individual emotions. Regression analyses showed that emotional intensity of the memories predicted the sensory details, rehearsal, and preoccupation with emotions. In moderated-mediation analyses, mediating effects for emotional intensity were detected between individual emotions and memory characteristics, except for the negative self-esteem emotions. Among these analyses, a moderating effect of memory types was detected only for the relationships between hostile emotions and anxiety-related emotions and the memory characteristics through the mediation of emotional intensity. While the intensity of singular emotions showed stronger relationship with emotional valence, the main variable that predicted memory characteristics overall was the emotional intensity.

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Characteristics and functions of predictive and directive memories and forecasts

Ay,

Gülgöz

2024

Applied Cognitive Psychology

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Earlier research focused on three functions of recollecting the past self, social, and directive functions, but few studies examined the characteristics of events serving these functions. Moreover, research has neglected the function of prediction, which refers to predicting the future by recollecting the past. The current study distinguished the predictive function from the directive function and aimed to characterize memories and future events serving different functions by employing function prompts as cues. In addition, the frequency of using function‐cued memories for the other functions was measured. Results showed that predictive and directive function ratings of the predictive function cued events were significantly different. However, directive events served the predictive function as frequently as the directive function, indicating that the predictive function is a prerequisite for future planning conceptualized under the directive function. The results are indicative of a distinct predictive function and considerable overlap between functions of memories.

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The valence and the functions of autobiographical memories: Does intensity matter?

Cited by 11 publications

References 49 publications

I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

Bellek Özelliklerinde Duygu İçeriğinin Etkisi: Duygusal Değer, Duygusal Yoğunluk ve Tekil Duygular

Characteristics and functions of predictive and directive memories and forecasts

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