scholarly journals Autobiographical memory specificity and mnemonic discrimination

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noboru Matsumoto ◽  
Masanori Kobayashi ◽  
Keisuke Takano
Keyword(s):  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Social Problem Solving ◽  
Pattern Separation ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Context Information ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Memory Specificity ◽  
Autobiographical Memory Specificity

Autobiographical memory specificity (AMS), which is the tendency to recall events that occurred at a particular time and place, enables everyday functioning, such as well-being and social problem-solving skills. A mechanism that may be important for AMS, hinting at the neural basis, is the possibility that pattern separation of similar events contributes to AMS. Pattern separation is an essential component of episodic memory and may allow us to encode and retain the unique aspects of events, making it easier to retrieve event-specific knowledge during retrieval. We examined the hypothesis that poor pattern separation is associated with a low proportion of specific memories and a high proportion of categoric memories derived from a lack of details regarding events. In Experiment 1 (N = 94) and Experiment 2 (preregistered; N = 99), participants completed the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT), which measures AMS, and a pattern separation measure. We coded AMT responses conventionally and then further classified the categoric memory responses based on abstract representations that contained words denoting high frequency and those derived from lacking context information such as when and/or where event occurs. As predicted, the lure discrimination score was positively correlated with specific memories and negatively correlated with categoric memories derived from lacking context information. These results were invariant when controlling for participants’ characteristics, general intelligence, and recognition measures. We propose to distinguish between these two types of general categoric memory and discuss the development of an integrative model of autobiographical memory structure.

An investigation of the mediating factors in the relationship between early childhood adversity and borderline personality characteristics in forensic inpatients

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30
Author(s):  
Helena Varnaseri ◽  
Tony Lavender ◽  
Lona Lockerbie
Keyword(s):  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Social Problem Solving ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Memory Specificity ◽  
Autobiographical Memory Specificity ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether early maladaptive schema (EMS) and autobiographical memory specificity mediate the relationship between abuse and attachment in childhood with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) characteristics among forensic inpatients. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional design. In total, 34 male adults residing in medium secure facilities completed self-report measures. Data were analysed using bootstrapped mediation procedures. Findings – The study’s hypotheses received partial support. The EMS of “entitlement/grandiosity” and autobiographical memory specificity differentially mediated the relationship between emotional and physical abuse and neglect, and parental care and overprotection with BPD characteristics, including trait anger and the frequent expression of anger. In line with attachment theory and the functional avoidance mechanism (Williams et al., 2007), the proposed mediators are conceptualised as adaptive responses to early adversity with potential maladaptive consequences for later interpersonal functioning. Research limitations/implications – These provisional findings will require further exploration with specific investigation of the relationship between EMS and autobiographical memory specificity. It is recommended that future research replicates the study’s design with a larger sample and investigate the role of other mediators and moderators in this complex relationship. Examples of these are mentalisation, social problem-solving capabilities, social support and adult attachment styles. Practical implications – Clinical implications encourage the incorporation of these mediators into clinical formulation, intervention and ward practices. Originality/value – For forensic inpatients with a history of adversity, interventions working directly with EMS and specificity of autobiographical memory, e.g. schema therapy (Young, 1999), mentalisation and mindfulness may be useful. Furthermore, the relationship between EMS and specificity of autobiographical memory with interpersonal experience and functioning can be incorporated into clinical formulation.

scholarly journals Remediating Reduced Autobiographical Memory in Healthy Older Adults With Computerized Memory Specificity Training (c-MeST): An Observational Before-After Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kris Martens ◽  
Keisuke Takano ◽  
Tom J Barry ◽  
Jolien Goedleven ◽  
Louise Van den Meutter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Group Training ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Memory Specificity ◽  
Autobiographical Memory Specificity ◽  
Training Protocol

BACKGROUND The ability to retrieve specific autobiographical memories decreases with cognitive aging. This decline is clinically relevant due to its association with impairments in problem solving, daily functioning, and depression. A therapist-delivered group training protocol, Memory Specificity Training (MeST), has been shown to enhance the retrieval of specific memories while ameliorating the impairments and negative outcomes associated with reduced specificity. The therapist-delivered nature of this intervention means it is relatively expensive to deliver and difficult for people with mobility impairments, such as older people, to receive. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to test if a novel, Web-based computerized version of a group training protocol called Memory Specificity Training, has the potential to increase autobiographical memory specificity and impact associated secondary psychological processes. METHODS A total of 21 participants (13 female; mean age 67.05, SD 6.55) who experienced a deficit in retrieving specific autobiographical memory were trained with c-MeST. We assessed memory specificity at preintervention and postintervention, as well as secondary processes such as depressive symptoms, rumination, and problem-solving skills. RESULTS Memory specificity increased significantly after participants completed c-MeST (r=.57). Session-to-session scores indicated that autobiographical memory specificity improved most from the online baseline assessment to the first Web-based session. Symptoms or secondary processes such as problem-solving skills did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS A Web-based automated individual version of MeST is a feasible, low-cost intervention for reduced memory specificity in healthy older adults. Future studies should clarify the preventive impact of c-MeST in other at-risk sample populations with longer follow-up times.

An Examination of the Impact of Methodology on Autobiographical Memory Specificity

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Herting ◽  
John-Paul Legerski ◽  
Sarah Bunnel ◽  
Beth Bray ◽  
Thomas Petros
Keyword(s):  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Memory Specificity ◽  
Autobiographical Memory Specificity ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Effects of age, dysphoria, and emotion‐focusing on autobiographical memory specificity in children

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 488-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronan E. O'Carroll ◽  
Tim Dalgleish ◽  
Lyndsey E. Drummond ◽  
Barbara Dritschel ◽  
Arlene Astell
Keyword(s):  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Memory Specificity ◽  
Autobiographical Memory Specificity

scholarly journals Reduced autobiographical memory specificity affects general distress through poor social support

Memory ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 916-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom J. Barry ◽  
Meghan Vinograd ◽  
Yannick Boddez ◽  
Filip Raes ◽  
Richard Zinbarg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Memory Specificity ◽  
General Distress ◽  
Autobiographical Memory Specificity ◽  
Poor Social Support

Autobiographical Memory Specificity Predicts Social Problem-Solving Ability in Old and Young Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 1275-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Beaman ◽  
Dolores Pushkar ◽  
Sarah Etezadi ◽  
Dorothea Bye ◽  
Michael Conway
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Social Problem Solving ◽  
Cued Recall ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Memory Specificity ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Problem Solving Task

Based on recent research with young, depressed adults, age-related cognitive declines and decreased autobiographical specificity were hypothesized to predict poorer social problem-solving ability in older than in younger healthy adults. Priming autobiographical memory (ABM) was hypothesized to improve social problem-solving performance for older adults. Subsequent to cognitive tests, old and young participants’ specific ABMs were tested using a cued recall task, followed by a social problem-solving task. The order of the tasks was counterbalanced to test for a priming effect. Autobiographical specificity was related to cognitive ability and predicted social problem-solving ability for both age groups. However, priming of ABM did not improve social problem-solving ability for older or younger adults. This study provides support for the hypothesis that autobiographical memory serves a directive function across the life-span.

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