Remembering the self in cultural contexts: A cultural dynamic theory of autobiographical memory. (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Qi
• Editors: Schacter, Daniel L; Welker, Michael
• Is Part Of: Memory studies. Volume 9:Number 3(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: 295
• Page End: 304
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: autobiographical memory -- collective memory -- cultural dynamic theory -- foresight -- future simulation -- self; Memory -- Periodicals; Memory -- Periodicals; 153.1205
• DOI: 10.1177/1750698016645238
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-6980

Abstract

People from different cultures often tell diverse stories about their past experiences. Research in the past two decades has revealed systematic differences in the content (self-focus vs other-focus), structure (specific vs general), valence (positive vs negative), accessibility (memory density and detailedness), developmental origin (age and density of earliest childhood memories), and functional usage (self-definition, relationship maintenance, behavioral guidance, and emotion regulation) of autobiographical memory across cultures. I outline a cultural dynamic theory of autobiographical memory that aims to synthesize the findings and provide a coherent guide to future investigation. The theory posits that (1) autobiographical memory takes place in the dynamic transaction between an active individual and his or her changing environment; (2) it is situated in culturally conditioned time and space over a multitude of timescales; and (3) it develops in the process of children acquiring cultural knowledge about the self and the purpose of the past through early socialization. I further discuss how the theory can provide insights into collective memory and future simulation.