Autobiographical Memory Functions Served by Multiple Event Types

Abstract

Autobiographical memories are thought to serve three basic functions: self-definition, social connection, and directing future behavior. Previous research suggests that the function a memory comes to serve may differ by the type of event recalled (e.g., single unique events vs. repeated or recurring events). In two studies, we compared memories for different event types on function served. Results from Study 1 suggest that narratives of single events serve more of a self and directive function compared with recurring events, whereas recurring events serve more of a social function. Extended events, however, were high on all three functions. Study 2 specifically examined single and recurring events. Results replicated and extended Study 1 using both narrative coding and questionnaire measures. Implications of the examination of multiple event types and functional approaches to autobiographical memory for understanding links between experiences and psychological outcomes are discussed.

Childhood remembered: Reports of both unique and repeated events

“…Hence, we predicted that repeated memories would be less likely to be accompanied by negative emotion because they were less likely than unique memories to refer to unusual events such as injuries. We also expected to observe differences in the content of the two categories of memories, corresponding to the functions identified by Waters et al (2014). …”

“…Although Rubin and Umanath (2015) categorise both these types of memory as event memory, they classify only unique memories as episodic. Both categories of unique and repeated memories exclude reports of extended events, defined by Waters et al (2014) as important experiences or periods of life that may represent an amalgam of single and recurring events (see also Conway & Pleydell-Pearce, 2000). Extended memories provide summaries of a significant time in one's life, such as trips to Disneyland, one's first year of school, and other events that happened over a continuous and protracted period of time.…”

“…But do the two types of memories serve the same function in autobiographical memory? Waters et al (2014) asked adults to generate both unique and repeated memories in two studies (extended memories were also included in one of the studies) and explored the functions served by these memories: self-definition, social connection, and directing future behaviour. They used narrative coding of the memories as well as questionnaire measures about narrative function filled out by the participants themselves in Study 2 and found that adults' memories of both unique and repeated events seemed to serve a self-defining function, although memories of unique events were more frequently identified as serving this function than were repeated memories.…”

“…Consistent with Waters, Bauer, and Fivush (2014), we define unique memories as reports of past single events experienced by the participant at a particular time and place, and repeated memories as representations of personally experienced events that occurred on multiple occasions and involved primarily the same people and setting. Although Rubin and Umanath (2015) categorise both these types of memory as event memory, they classify only unique memories as episodic.…”

“…In addition, to explore the different functions of memories in different categories, we compared the inclusion of terms referring to the self, social partners, and cognitive insight in repeated and unique memories. In this way, we built on the recent work of Waters et al (2014) with a different methodology (i.e. ratings vs. narrative content).…”