The retrieval of self-defining memories is associated with the activation of specific working selves

Cili, Soljana; Stopa, Lusia

doi:10.1080/09658211.2014.882955

Cited by 31 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 77 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Research to date indicates that activating different 'working selves' is strongly associated with the accessibility of different memories consistent with this, such that activating positive memories may increase the accessibility of a positive working self, for example (Çili & Stopa, 2015;Conway et al, 2004). By facilitating the retrieval of negative self-constructs (Lyubomirsky et al, 1998), it is plausible to expect that abstract, ruminative thinking may increase the accessibility of illness-related memories and perpetuate the activation of the 'health-vulnerable' self.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Rumination and self-defining memories in the context of health concerns

Sansom-Daly

Bryant

Cohn

et al. 2015

Memory

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Individuals with health anxiety report experiencing a strong sense of vulnerability to illness. Such beliefs may be driven by the biased recollection of past illness-related events. However, little research has explored the role of memory in health anxiety. In other disorders, rumination has also been identified as a process that leads individuals to recall memories dominated by the content of their concerns. This study examined the proposition that rumination might impact the content of "self-defining" autobiographical memories among 60 college students with varying health anxiety (35% with clinical-level health anxiety). Participants were randomised to experiential/ruminative self-focus conditions, and then they completed the Self-Defining Memory Task. Responses were coded for valence and illness-relatedness. Results indicated that rumination led participants to retrieve more illness-related self-defining memories, while higher health anxiety scores were associated with more negative, but not more illness-focused memories. Ruminative thinking appears to activate health concerns, and may play a role in maintaining ongoing health anxiety.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Rumination and self-defining memories in the context of health concerns

Sansom-Daly

Bryant

Cohn

et al. 2015

Memory

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This is consistent with a recent study showing negative correlations between the CES and self-concept clarity (Boelen, 2017). In addition, having a negative event central to identity may reduce, or even eliminate, a self-protective down-regulation of negative affect (Ritchie et al, 2014) and pave the way for repeated rehearsal of the stressful event, which can reduce self-esteem (Çili & Stopa, 2015). However, these possibilities are largely speculations awaiting future research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological and clinical correlates of the Centrality of Event Scale: A systematic review

Gehrt

Berntsen

Hoyle

et al. 2018

Clinical Psychology Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Centrality of Event Scale (CES) was introduced to examine the extent to which a traumatic or stressful event is perceived as central to an individual's identity and life story, and how this relates to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In addition, the CES has been examined in relation to a range of other conditions and dispositions. We present a systematic review of the correlates of the CES. Results from 92 publications resulted in 25 measurement categories in the six theoretical domains of trauma, negative affect and distress, autobiographical memory, personality, positive affect, and gender. The mean weighted correlations of the 25 measurement categories ranged from -.17 to .55, with standard errors from .01 to .02, allowing us to distinguish empirically among effects. Consistent with the theoretical motivation for the CES and predictions predating the review, the CES correlated positively with a range of measures, correlating most highly with measures related to trauma, PTSD, grief, and autobiographical memory. The findings show that the CES probes aspects of autobiographical memory of broad relevance to clinical disorders, and with specific implications for theories of PTSD.

show abstract

“…For example, research has identified associations between the thematic content of life story memories, including redemption and contamination themes (McAdams, Reynolds, Lewis, Patten, & Bowman, ) or agency and communion themes (Adler, Harmeling, & Walder‐Biesanz, ; McAdams, Hoffman, Day & Mansfield, ), and measures of psychological functioning. Cili and Stopa () found that when people are explicitly instructed to recall either positive or negative memories, recall of positive past events led to higher state self‐esteem and state self‐concept clarity compared to recall of negative past events. However, none of these studies have compared effects of recalling chapters to effects of recalling specific memories.…”

Section: What Is a Life Story Chapter?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Life Story Chapters, Specific Memories, and Conceptions of the Self

Steiner

Thomsen

Pillemer

2017

Applied Cognitive Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Two studies investigated the effects of recalling either life story chapters or specific memories on measures of self-continuity and self-esteem. Participants were assigned to recall important chapters, important specific memories, or impersonal facts, and they provided ratings of emotional tone. Participants also completed trait and state measures of self-continuity, selfesteem, and mood. Although effects of recall condition on state and trait measures were not statistically significant, within-group analyses identified strong and consistent relationships between the positivity of life story chapters and both trait and state self-continuity and selfesteem. In contrast, the positivity of specific memories was related only to state self-esteem.Qualities of life story chapters appear to be more central to enduring conceptions of the self than qualities of specific life story memories.Notice: This is the author's version of a work that was accepted for publication in Applied Cognitive Psychology. A definitive version was subsequently published in Applied Cognitive Psychology, 31, 478-487. DOI: 10.1002/acp.3343 3 Life Story Chapters, Specific Memories, and Conceptions of the Self Autobiographical memory encompasses both specific and general recollections that involve the self (Conway, Singer, & Tagini, 2004;Fivush & Haden, 2003;Prebble, Addis, & Tippett, 2013). Accordingly, when people tell their life story, they may reflect and elaborate on selected extended autobiographical periods (also termed life story chapters or simply chapters) and specific memories nested within those periods (Conway & Pleydell-Pearce, 2000;Thomsen, 2009). For example, an older adult's account of the early years of her marriage could describe general themes that characterize that chapter of her life (e.g., "We loved each other very much and that got us through the rough patches"), or her story could highlight particularly salient episodes (e.g., "My husband was devastated when he lost his first job, but we spent a wonderful day at the lake and he was energized to try again"). The present studies addressed three central questions concerning relationships between these two distinct types of recollection and aspects of the self. When adults are instructed to recall either chapters or specific memories in their life stories, does type of recall affect their self-continuity (i.e., the sense that one is the same person over time) and self-esteem? For people who are instructed to remember chapters, is the emotional tone of their chapters related to their state and trait self-continuity and self-esteem?Are similar relationships between emotional tone, self-continuity, and self-esteem evident when people recall specific memories rather than chapters?From an applied perspective, identifying potential connections between qualities of life story chapters and aspects of the self should be of interest to clinicians: "Clinical psychologists work on a daily basis with memories, repetitive scripts, and life stories of their clients…The recent con...

show abstract

The retrieval of self-defining memories is associated with the activation of specific working selves

Cited by 31 publications

References 77 publications

Rumination and self-defining memories in the context of health concerns

Rumination and self-defining memories in the context of health concerns

Psychological and clinical correlates of the Centrality of Event Scale: A systematic review

Life Story Chapters, Specific Memories, and Conceptions of the Self

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About