Crafting the TALE: Construction of a measure to assess the functions of autobiographical remembering

Abstract

Theory suggests that autobiographical remembering serves several functions. This research builds on previous empirical efforts (Bluck, Alea, Habermas, & Rubin, 2005) with the aim of constructing a brief, valid measure of three functions of autobiographical memory. Participants (N=306) completed 28 theoretically derived items concerning the frequency with which they use autobiographical memory to serve a variety of functions. To examine convergent and discriminant validity, participants rated their tendency to think about and talk about the past, and measures of future time orientation, self-concept clarity, and trait personality. Confirmatory factor analysis of the function items resulted in a respecified model with 15 items in three factors. The newly developed Thinking about Life Experiences scale (TALE) shows good internal consistency as well as convergent validity for three subscales: Self-Continuity, Social-Bonding, and Directing-Behaviour. Analyses demonstrate factorial equivalence across age and gender groups. Potential use and limitations of the TALE are discussed.

The functions of autobiographical memory: An integrative approach

“…Here, we define function as "reasons for remembering" or "uses of autobiographical memory" or "motivations for remembering", consistent with explicit definitions in the cognitive memory functions literature (e.g. Bluck & Alea, 2011;Bluck, Alea, Habermas, & Rubin, 2005). That is, we do not necessarily equate function with "adaptiveness", nor make strong claims about the adaptive vs. maladaptive nature of the reasons that people give for thinking about or talking about the past, (although we return to this point and issues with determining "adaptiveness" in the Discussion).…”

The Relationship between Autobiographical Self-Focus and Memory Specificity/Overgenerality: Differences between Individuals with and without a Diagnosis of Depression

“…Recent approaches have further differentiated self and social functions of autobiographical remembering (for an overview, see Pillemer, 2009). Functions of AM can be assessed with self-reports, like the Thinking about Life Experiences Questionnaire (TALE; Bluck & Alea, 2011), but individuals may have only limited introspective insight into their own memory activities (Pillemer, 2009). Research therefore focuses also on the narrative structure of autobiographical memories, which do not require an individual to arrive at introspective judgments about memory usage.…”

Fiction as Autobiography

“…Moreover, autobiographical memories are more than vivid remembrances: they also have functional significance. Memories of one's personal past are thought to be used for at least three broad categories (Bluck, 2003;Bluck, Alea, Habermas, & Rubin, 2005;Bluck & Alea, 2011): planning and decision-making (directive functions), maintaining a sense of a continuous self over time (self functions), and maintaining and developing relationships (social functions).…”