Memory perspective and self-concept in social anxiety: an exploratory study.
The mental representation of self and observer perspective images are important maintaining factors in cognitive models of social phobia (Clark & Wells, 1995; Rapee & Heimberg, 1997). This study investigates Libby and Eibach's (2002) hypothesis that the observer perspective is used to recall memories that are incongruent with current self-concept. A total of 60 participants (divided into high and low social anxiety groups) completed a questionnaire in which they described current self-concept, recalled four memories of social occasions (two congruent, two incongruent), and rated memory age and vividness. Congruence was defined as memories that "fit" with current self-descriptions. A qualitative analysis of self-concept showed that both groups used a similar range of themes. High socially anxious participants recalled more observer perspective memories in the second incongruent memory. Congruence did not influence vividness, but public self-consciousness did. The implications of the results are discussed and suggestions made for future research.
Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield, UK. L.Stopa@soton.ac.uk
Lusia
L
Stopa
Tess
T
Bryant
D001007:Anxiety; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors