Autobiographical memory Matt Jarvis Philip Allan Publishers 2016

Background: Long-term memory There is evidence for several different systems in long-term memory: ● Implicit memory: memory we are not conscious of, for example motor skills ● Explicit memory: memory we are aware of, for example facts and events Explicit memory can be further divided: ● Episodic memory: memory for events ● Semantic memory: memory for facts Philip Allan Publishers © 2016

What is autobiographical memory? A type of explicit memory Memory of our own lives Includes elements of episodic memory, i. e. memory of events Moments of experience Philip Allan Publishers © 2016 Includes elements of semantic memory, i. e. knowledge of facts Facts about self and the events

The reminiscence bump Memories are not evenly distributed across the lifespan. ● Childhood amnesia: we recall little from the first 5 years ● Reminiscence bump: we recall a lot of detail from 15 to 25 years ● Recency: we also recall a lot from recent events Philip Allan Publishers © 2016

Explanations for the reminiscence bump The novel experience hypothesis suggests that we recall most detail from the period in which we have most new experiences but only a small proportion of memories from the reminiscence bump are of new experiences. The self-identity hypothesis suggests that our sense of self requires that we recall most detail from the period when we form a stable identity. Evidence The reminiscence bump of migrants peaks at the age when they migrated (Schrauf and Rubin, 1998) Philip Allan Publishers © 2016

The self-memory system Conway (2005) proposed the self-memory system to explain autobiographical memory. Autobiographical memory comprises themes that span a range of ages: • school theme • family theme • relationship theme • work theme At each age within each theme are specific episodic memories. These form a coherent life story that makes up our sense of self. Philip Allan Publishers © 2016

Applications of Conway’s model It appears that the working self acts to maintain its coherence so it makes memories more or less accessible in order to keep a stable sense of self. PTSD often involves intrusive memories. These can be explained by the working self editing memory in order to protect the sense of self. Amnesia may involve adopting an identity consistent with a period that the patient can recall clearly This resource is part of PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW, a magazine written for A-level students by subject experts. To subscribe to the full magazine go to: http: //www. hoddereducation. co. uk/psychologyreview Philip Allan Publishers © 2016