The valence and the functions of autobiographical memories: Does intensity matter?

Author: Wolf, Tabea; Pociunaite, Justina; Hoehne, Sophie; Zimprich, Daniel

Description: Autobiographical memories serve psychosocial functions in daily life and the use of memories is related to their valence. In the present study, we examined whether functions are also related to the intensity of positive and negative memories. Our sample included 110 participants (57-89 years of age). Memories were prompted with 30 emotionally neutral cue words. Participants rated the emotional quality of each memory and indicated how frequently they had recalled it for self-continuity, directing behavior, social-bonding, and mood-enhancement. We used multilevel modeling to test whether individual differences in the use of memories can explain why individuals recall different numbers of positive and negative memories as well as memories high or low in intensity. Each function revealed its specific pattern regarding valence and intensity but also regarding within-person and between-person effects. Mood-enhancement showed the strongest relations, which points to the importance of considering emotion regulation as a function of autobiographical memory.

Subject headings: Affect; Emotional Regulation; Emotions; Humans; Memory; Episodic, Mental Recall; Autobiographical memory; Autobiographical memory functions; Emotion regulation; Emotional intensity; Emotional valence; Individual differences; Mood-enhancement; Multilevel analysis

Publication year: 2021

Journal or book title: Consciousness and Cognition

Volume: 91

Pages: 103119

Find the full text: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053810021000453

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Serial number: 3916