The role of autobiographical memory networks in the experience of negative emotions: How our remembered past elicits our current feelings.

Abstract

The present research examined the role of autobiographical memory networks on negative emotional experiences. Results from 2 studies found support for an active but also discriminant role of autobiographical memories and their related networked memories on negative emotions. In addition, in line with self-determination theory, thwarting of the psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness was found to be the critical component of autobiographical memory affecting negative emotional experiences. Study 1 revealed that need thwarting in a specific autobiographical memory network related to the theme of loss was positively associated with depressive negative emotions, but not with other negative emotions. Study 2 showed within a prospective design a differential predictive validity between 2 autobiographical memory networks (an anger-related vs. a guilt-related memory) on situational anger reactivity with respect to unfair treatment. All of these results held after controlling for neuroticism (Studies 1 and 2), self-control (Study 2), and for the valence (Study 1) and emotions (Study 2) found in the measured autobiographical memory network. These findings highlight the ongoing emotional significance of representations of need thwarting in autobiographical memory networks.

Networks of prospective thoughts: The organisational role of emotion and its impact on well-being

“…Participants were then instructed to produce four autobiographical event networks that varied according to the emotional valence and temporal orientation of the cueing event; the task was derived from Philippe et al (2009Philippe et al ( , 2011Philippe et al ( , 2012 and adapted for future events. For each network, participants first had to remember or imagine a specific event (i.e., a particular event occurring in a specific place at a specific time, and lasting a few minutes or hours) that served as cueing event.…”

“…Philippe and colleagues have indeed demonstrated that when an emotional memory is retrieved, its emotional components are activated along and spread an activation to other related memories, thus resulting in a network of emotional memories that are similar in valence and intensity (Philippe, Lecours, & Beaulieu-Pelletier, 2009;Philippe et al, 2011Philippe et al, , 2012.…”

“…Self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) proposes that humans have an overarching goal of growth, which is expressed through the pursuit of fulfillment of three 4 psychological needs: autonomy (the need to feel volitional and authentic in one's actions), competence (the need to feel effective and efficacious), and relatedness (the need to feel connected and to care for others and be cared for by others in turn). Emotional memory networks are associated with particular need-satisfying or need-thwarting representations with respect to these three psychological needs, and research has shown that such need satisfaction information is an active ingredient that influences people's emotional responses and well-being (Philippe et al, 2011(Philippe et al, , 2012.…”

“…Networks of emotional memories that are triggered by certain situations influence appraisal processes and contribute to one's current emotional response (Philippe et al, 2009(Philippe et al, , 2011. For example, a situation evoking loss might trigger a network of specific memories characterized by loss-related features, and these memories have predictive value with respect to people's depressive emotions in the situation (Philippe et al, 2011). Information about goal-affective components such as levels of need satisfaction appears to be particularly critical in determining the emotional impact of memory networks.…”

The mnemonic qualities of textiles: Sustaining lifelong attachment

“…More significantly, the retrieval of memory involved in reminiscence can generate an emotional response. Psychologists describe this as one of the directive functions of memory (Philippe et al 2011). Remembering has an impact upon our current emotional state (LeDoux 1992;Schwartz, Weinberger & Singer 1981, cited in Philippe et al 2011, and is based upon how the original experience was perceived (Deci & Ryan 2000, cited in Philippe et al 2011).…”