Stability in autobiographical memories.
A total of 30 undergraduates recalled the same 20 autobiographical memories at two sessions separated by 2 weeks. At each session they dated their memories and rated them on 18 properties commonly studied in autobiographical memory experiments. Individuals showed moderate stability in their ratings on the 18 scales (r approximately .5), with consistency of dating being much higher (r = .96). There was more stability in the individuals' average rating on each scale (r approximately .8), even when the averages were calculated on different memories in the different sessions. The results are consistent with a constructive view of autobiographical memory, in which stable individual differences in cognitive style are important.
Rubin
David C
DC
Psychological and Brain Sciences, Duke University, Box 90086, Durham NC 27707-0086, USA. david.rubin@duke.edu
Schrauf
Robert W
RW
Greenberg
Daniel L
DL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013997:Time Factors