Meta-memory (prediction) of specific autobiographical recall: An experimental approach using a modified Autobiographical Memory Test

Abstract

Autobiographical memory specificity is known to contribute to mental health, social problem solving, and episodic future thinking. While numerous studies have addressed variables that affect autobiographical memory specificity, little is known about the meta-memory processes that underpin memory retrieval. In this study, we introduced two meta-memory constructs, ease of retrieval judgments and anticipation of emotion evoked, which potentially affect autobiographical memory specificity. Participants (N = 109) first rated the ease of retrieval and anticipated emotion for positive and negative words used in the subsequent autobiographical memory test. We used the Optional Instruction of the Autobiographical Memory Test, in which participants were instructed that “specific memory is better, but other memories are permissible”, allowing participants to adjust how much cognitive effort they spent on generative retrieval after a failure of direct retrieval. They also self-judged whether each retrieval was generative (using additional cues with cognitive effort) or direct (immediate recall without much cognitive effort). Results showed that among generative retrieval, ease of retrieval was associated with greater specific and general memories and fewer omissions. A more negative anticipated emotion was associated with fewer specific memories and greater omissions but was not associated with general memories. These results suggest that low retrievability and anticipated negative emotion prevent participants from devoting effort to generative retrieval. The findings that anticipated negative emotion was not associated with general memory called into question the functional avoidance hypothesis regarding autobiographical memory specificity. We discussed how participants judged these meta-memories and directed future research.