title: Motivation for weight loss affects recall from autobiographical memory in dieters.
abstract: Two studies examined the connection between motivation for weight loss and autobiographical memory by comparing characteristics of autobiographical memories between dieters and non-dieters. Study 1 involved 29 normal/overweight dieters and 48 non-dieters, and Study 2 involved 18 obese dieters and 18 normal weight non-dieters. Memories recalled in response to dieting-related cue words were rated as more central to the person's identity and life story and contained more body- or weight-related elements for the dieters than the non-dieters. No differences between dieters and non-dieters were found on memories recalled in response to neutral cue words. The findings are discussed in relation to the notions of the working self (Conway & Pleydell-Pearce, 2000) and current concerns (Klinger, 1978).
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Aarhus University, Denmark. kimbej@psy.au.dk
authors.forename: Kim Berg
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Johannessen
authors.forename: Dorthe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berntsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult