Closure of autobiographical memories moderates their directive effect on behaviour

Abstract

Specific autobiographical memories have been theorised to serve a directive function, whereby the content of the memory directs behaviour outside awareness. The present research tested whether the extent to which a memory feels low in closure, or psychologically not in the past, moderates this directive effect. A total of 163 participants in an online experiment were asked to recollect a specific autobiographical memory of a time they had failed to donate to charity, or were not asked to recollect a memory. Those who recollected a memory were randomly assigned to think of the memory as high versus low in closure. Recollecting an autobiographical memory made to feel low in closure led to more memory-relevant behaviour than either recollecting a memory made to feel high in closure, or no memory at all. Moreover, the directive effect of a low-closure memory occurred whether participants were made aware of an upcoming behavioural opportunity or not. Discussion centres on possible processes linking low closure and behaviour, as well as implications for the self-memory system theory of autobiographical memory.

The retrieval of self-defining memories is associated with the activation of specific working selves

“…They also suggest that, in addition to state self-esteem, memory recall affects the type of goals and self-cognitions that individuals report. Although they suggest that these self-aspects may be affected in the immediate aftermath of the recall, our findings are in line with previous research showing that there is a close link between SDMs and goals and self-cognitions (Beike et al, 2010;Jobson & O'Kearney, 2008b;Sutherland & Bryant, 2005). They are also in line with Jennings and McLean's (2013) finding on state self-esteem and self-beliefs changing following memory retrieval.…”

“…After recalling past achievements, on the other hand, individuals may be more likely to evaluate themselves positively and to focus on other priorities, such as recreation. Although our finding concerns memory valence rather than closure, it fits with Beike et al's argument that individuals engage in memory-related behaviours when they think of memories related to thwarted goals because they want to make up for these goals and then move on to others (Beike et al, 2007(Beike et al, , 2010.…”

“…In Western cultures, individuals suffering from PTSD report more trauma-themed goals and self-cognitions than individuals without PTSD (Jobson & O'Kearney, 2008b). Finally, thinking about memories in a way that makes them feel open makes individuals engage in a greater number of memory-related behaviours, perhaps because open memories are related to thwarted goals that the individual is still striving to achieve (Beike, Adams, & Naufel, 2010).…”

When does meaning making predict subjective well-being? Examining young and older adults in two cultures

“…2 The directive function of autobiographical memory (Bluck & Alea, 2002;Cohen, 1998;Pillemer, 1992) involves using one's personal past to guide present problem solving (e.g. Pillemer, 2003;Webster, 1997) and direct future thoughts and behaviours (e.g., Beike, Adams, & Naufel, 2010;Bluck, Dirk, Mackay, & Hux, 2005). In using autobiographical memory directively, life events are not purposively searched and evaluated in an effort to make meaning.…”

Narrative centrality and negative affectivity: Independent and interactive contributors to stress reactions.

“…When such resolution has been obtained, the negative event is less likely to be central to narrative identity. Memories that lack closure have high levels of intense negative emotional details (Beike & Wirth-Beaumont, 2005; Crawley, 2010), are more likely to involve attempts at meaning making (Boals, Banks, Hathaway, & Schuettler, 2011), and have a directive effect on behavior (Beike, Adams, & Naufel, 2010). …”