What we remember and what we tell: The effects of culture and self-priming on memory representations and narratives
- 1 August 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Memory
- Vol. 13 (6), 594-606
- https://doi.org/10.1080/09658210444000223
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to explore culture and self-priming effects on memories of Caucasian and Asian American adults (N = 526). In the experimental conditions, either the collective or private self was primed prior to retrieval. Participants then described their earliest childhood memories (Study 1) or recalled a fictional story (Study 2). Systematic cultural differences in memory content were obtained across both memory tasks, independent of priming conditions. Caucasians tended to recall specific, one-moment-in-time events that focused on the individual as the central character. Asians tended to provide memories of general, routine events centring on collective activities and social interactions. Priming effects also emerged: memory content reflected the particular aspect of the self being primed. Findings are discussed in light of the interactive relation between memory representations and memory narratives and the role culture plays in remembering.Keywords
This publication has 40 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Cultural Psychology of Development: One Mind, Many MentalitiesPublished by Wiley ,2007
- Looking back in time: Self-concept change affects visual perspective in autobiographical memory.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2002
- The influence of implicit motives on memory processes.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2001
- The influence of implicit motives on memory processes.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2001
- Multicultural minds: A dynamic constructivist approach to culture and cognition.American Psychologist, 2000
- The effects of stereotypes and suggestions on preschoolers' reports.Developmental Psychology, 1995
- Some tests of the distinction between the private self and the collective self.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1991
- Personal memories and personal identity: The impact of ego identity development on autobiographical memory recall.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1991
- Five kinds of self‐knowledgePhilosophical Psychology, 1988
- The Dynamic Self-Concept: A Social Psychological PerspectiveAnnual Review of Psychology, 1987