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Explaining change in content of life narratives over time
Christin Camia1, Tilmann Habermas2
1Department of Psychology, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arabic Emirates.
Memory (Hove, England)
|May 13, 2020
Summary
Life story stability is influenced by memory age, not emotional valence. Younger memories are more likely omitted but can be recalled with prompts, highlighting personal relevance in life narratives.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Narrative Psychology
Background:
- Life story narratives are crucial for identity and psychological well-being.
- Understanding factors influencing the stability and change of personal life narratives is key.
- Previous research highlights motivation and goals in narrative construction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how memory age and valence affect life narrative stability.
- To examine omitted personal memories from previous life narratives.
- To explore the accessibility and reasons for omitting memories.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 145 participants (ages 16-69).
- Analysis of previously told life events omitted in current narratives after four years.
- Testing accessibility of omitted memories and reasons for omission.
Main Results:
- Younger memory age, not valence, predicted omission from life narratives.
- Omitted memories were retrievable with memory prompts.
- Memory inclusion and recall related to personal relevance at the time of telling.
Conclusions:
- Memory age is a significant factor in life narrative stability.
- Personal relevance, motivation, and goals shape which memories are included in life stories.
- Life narratives are dynamic and subject to change based on memory accessibility and relevance.
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