This mixed methods study investigated the effects of autobiographical memories on future thinking and decision-making. The quantitative rating scores served as a means of obtaining a direct correlation to investigate which areas memory were most significant to future thinking/decision-making, self-reported by the participants. The study consisted primarily of a thematic analysis of participants qualitative responses in relation to three themes to test the three proposed hypotheses of the study. Firstly, autobiographical memories are primarily functions of goal construction. Secondly, those memories are congruent to the self, and likely to place the participant at the centre of all previous experiences/events. Thirdly, since it is hypothesised that there will be an egocentric element to the responses, this should coincide with increased pronoun density. The third thematic discourse theme has analysed selective examples of the use of (I, me and my) in qualitative literary expressions recorded. A total of 46 participants participated, with 33 fully completing the survey. The richness of the memories suggests novel experimentation may be needed in future analysis; participant discourses were widespread. However family and school memories were rated as the most significant influences on future thinking/decision-making. Findings are discussed from a social psychology viewpoint in relation to past literature and thematic analysis.
Intro Snippet:
'Galaxies and stars are born, and they die, living creatures are young before they grow old, causes always precede effects, there is no return to yesterday, and so on and on. Time's flow is irreversible. The singular exception is provided by the human ability to remember past happenings' (Tulving, 2002, 1).
The notion of 'autobiographical memory' (AM) is a recent convention within psychological literature that explains the function and structure of human memory; a unique feature of episodic memory (Tulving, 2002; Conway, 2004; 2005; 2009; Prebble et al, 2013; Pause et al, 2013; Baddeley et al, 2015; Eysenck, 2015). Autobiographical memory is defined as a complex mental system that allows people to recollect information, events, and experiences from their past (Prebble et al, 2013; Williams, Conway and Cohen, 2008).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Historical background to Autobiographical Memory
- Theoretical basis for autobiographical memory
- Justification for research categorical factors
- Cognitive and Neurobiological approach to autobiographical memory
- Theoretical basis for the 'self' and memory
- Methodological implications for autobiographical memory studies
- Social, developmental and cultural implications
- Theoretical basis for 'episodic future thinking'
- Hypothesis: Key points
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study investigates the impact of autobiographical memories on future thinking and decision-making. It explores the relationship between memory, self-identity, and self-expression through a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data analysis. The research aims to understand how autobiographical memories function in shaping personal narratives and influencing future orientations.
- The role of autobiographical memory in shaping self-identity and self-expression.
- The relationship between autobiographical memory and future thinking/decision-making.
- The influence of specific types of autobiographical memories (e.g., family, school memories) on future orientations.
- The cognitive and neurobiological underpinnings of autobiographical memory.
- The social, developmental, and cultural factors that influence autobiographical memory.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of autobiographical memory (AM) as a unique feature of episodic memory, differentiating it from other forms of memory recall. It establishes the significance of AM in constructing personal narratives and influencing self-perception, highlighting the role of "autonoetic awareness" and "mental time travel" in accessing and utilizing past experiences. The chapter emphasizes the complexity of AM, acknowledging its susceptibility to biases while maintaining its crucial role in shaping individual identities and future orientations. It sets the stage for investigating how these memories directly affect future thinking and decision-making.
Historical background to Autobiographical Memory: This section would delve into the historical development of the concept of autobiographical memory within psychological literature, tracing its evolution from earlier conceptions of memory to the current understanding of its multifaceted nature. It would likely discuss key figures and influential research that contributed to shaping the theoretical framework within which the study operates. The historical context would provide a valuable foundation for understanding the current research on AM and its applications.
Theoretical basis for autobiographical memory: This chapter likely presents established theories that explain the structure and function of autobiographical memory. It would detail different theoretical models and frameworks used to comprehend how memories are encoded, stored, and retrieved, highlighting the interplay of cognitive, emotional, and social factors. Key concepts and theoretical debates surrounding the nature of AM would be explored, providing the theoretical groundwork for the research methodology and interpretation of results.
Methodology: This chapter details the research design, participant selection, data collection methods, and analytical procedures employed in the study. It describes the quantitative and qualitative methodologies used, including the specific instruments and techniques to collect data (e.g., surveys, interviews). It would also justify the choice of these methods and address potential limitations, emphasizing the rigor and validity of the research approach. Ethical considerations related to data collection and participant rights are also outlined here.
Results: This chapter presents the findings of the study based on the data collected through both quantitative and qualitative methods. It reports the statistical analyses performed on the quantitative data and provides a detailed account of the thematic analysis of the qualitative data. The results section aims to objectively present the findings without interpretation, offering a comprehensive overview of the data obtained in the study. This would include discussion of response patterns and any significant relationships observed between variables.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Autobiographical memory, self-identity, self-expression, future thinking, decision-making, episodic memory, thematic analysis, mixed methods, qualitative research, quantitative research, memory biases, personal narrative, social psychology.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main focus of this research?
This research investigates the impact of autobiographical memories on future thinking and decision-making. It explores the relationship between memory, self-identity, and self-expression using a mixed-methods approach (combining quantitative and qualitative data analysis).
What are the key themes explored in this study?
Key themes include the role of autobiographical memory in shaping self-identity and self-expression; the relationship between autobiographical memory and future thinking/decision-making; the influence of specific memory types (e.g., family, school memories) on future orientations; the cognitive and neurobiological underpinnings of autobiographical memory; and the social, developmental, and cultural factors influencing autobiographical memory.
What is the structure of the language preview?
The preview provides a comprehensive overview, including a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It details the research aims and methodology, offering insights into the historical background, theoretical basis, and methodological implications of the study on autobiographical memory.
What methodologies are employed in this research?
The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The specific methods used for data collection and analysis are detailed in the "Methodology" chapter. This includes quantitative analysis of data and qualitative thematic analysis.
What are the key findings of the study (as presented in the preview)?
The preview does not present specific results, only stating that the "Results" chapter will present the findings from both quantitative and qualitative data analyses. The chapter will report statistical analyses of quantitative data and thematic analysis of the qualitative data.
What are the key theoretical frameworks used in this research?
The preview mentions that established theories explaining the structure and function of autobiographical memory will be presented, including different theoretical models and frameworks that address memory encoding, storage, and retrieval. The interplay of cognitive, emotional, and social factors will be highlighted.
What are the chapter summaries included in this preview?
The preview includes summaries for the Introduction, Historical background to Autobiographical Memory, Theoretical basis for autobiographical memory, and Methodology chapters. It indicates that the Results chapter will objectively present findings from both quantitative and qualitative data, while the Discussion chapter is not summarized.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Autobiographical memory, self-identity, self-expression, future thinking, decision-making, episodic memory, thematic analysis, mixed methods, qualitative research, quantitative research, memory biases, personal narrative, social psychology.
What is the significance of autobiographical memory according to this preview?
The preview emphasizes the significance of autobiographical memory in constructing personal narratives, influencing self-perception, and shaping individual identities and future orientations. It highlights the role of "autonoetic awareness" and "mental time travel" in accessing and utilizing past experiences.
For whom is this language preview intended?
The preview is intended for academic use, supporting the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner. The information provided is meant to give a clear understanding of the research scope and findings.
- Citar trabajo
- Alexander Syder (Autor), 2015, The prevalence and impact of autobiographical memories through thematic categorical classification: their impact on self-identity and self-expression, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/337634
