The Importance of Memory Specificity and Memory Coherence for the Self: Linking Two Characteristics of Autobiographical Memory

Abstract

Autobiographical memory forms a network of memories about personal experiences that defines and supports well-being and effective functioning of the self in various ways. During the last three decades, there have been two characteristics of autobiographical memory that have received special interest regarding their role in psychological well-being and psychopathology, namely memory specificity and memory coherence. Memory specificity refers to the extent to which retrieved autobiographical memories are specific (i.e., memories about a particular experience that happened on a particular day). Difficulty retrieving specific memories interferes with effective functioning of the self and is related to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Memory coherence refers to the narrative expression of the overall structure of autobiographical memories. It has likewise been related to psychological well-being and the occurrence of psychopathology. Research on memory specificity and memory coherence has developed as two largely independent research domains, even though they show much overlap. This raises some important theoretical questions. How do these two characteristics of autobiographical memory relate to each other, both theoretically and empirically? Additionally, how can the integration of these two facilitate our understanding of the importance of autobiographical memory for the self? In this article, we give a critical overview of memory specificity and memory coherence and their relation to the self. We link both features of autobiographical memory by describing some important similarities and by formulating hypotheses about how they might relate to each other. By situating both memory specificity and memory coherence within Conway and Pleydell-Pearce’s Self-Memory System, we make a first attempt at a theoretical integration. Finally, we suggest some new and exciting research possibilities and explain how both research fields could benefit from integration in future research.

Autobiographical memory coherence in emotional disorders: The role of rumination, cognitive avoidance, executive functioning, and meaning making

“…In line with this hypothesis, individuals who indicate to engage more in avoidant coping strategies retrieve less specific autobiographical memories [36,37]. Given the overlap, both theoretically and empirically, between memory specificity and memory coherence [16,26], these findings provide some indirect support for our hypothesis.…”

“…In 2007, Williams and colleagues [4] developed the CaR-FA-X model, which describes three important correlates of memory specificity; rumination, cognitive avoidance, and executive functioning. Given both the theoretical and empirical overlap between memory specificity and memory coherence [16,26], we propose that these constructs might be correlates of the latter as well. However, to understand how these constructs might relate to memory coherence, insight into the steps required to construct a coherent narrative is required.…”

“…This specific information is generally assumed to be stored at the most concrete and specific level of the Self-Memory System (SMS), namely the level of event specific knowledge (ESK) [27]. Therefore, memory coherence, similar to memory specificity, can be situated at the level of ESK [26]. Gaining access to this most concrete layer in the SMS requires a vertical or top-down search process starting at the most abstract and general level (i.e., life time periods).…”

Reduced autobiographical memory specificity affects general distress through poor social support

“…Each of these mediational mechanisms refers to the difficulty that individuals with SOCIAL MEMORY 5 rAMS have in regulating their own emotions and in planning for and dealing with events in their life. These mechanisms neglect the social consequences of memory recall and the way in which sharing memories may have consequences for communication with others (Vanderveren, Bijttebier, & Hermans, 2017). However, research has yet to consider how rAMS might influence our relationships with other people and in particular the support that they offer us.…”

I like you better when you are coherent. Narrating autobiographical memories in a coherent manner has a positive impact on listeners’ social evaluations

“…Another example of an individual difference variable in the process of retrieving and sharing memories that is gaining attention in the field is autobiographical memory coherence, operationalized as narrative coherence [23]. Coherence of autobiographical memories is mostly assessed using narratives (i.e.…”