title: Factor structure of overall autobiographical memory usage: the directive, self and social functions revisited.
abstract: According to theory, autobiographical memory serves three broad functions of overall usage: directive, self, and social. However, there is evidence to suggest that the tripartite model may be better conceptualised in terms of a four-factor model with two social functions. In the present study we examined the two models in Danish and German samples, using the Thinking About Life Experiences Questionnaire (TALE; Bluck, Alea, Habermas, & Rubin, 2005), which measures the overall usage of the three functions generalised across concrete memories. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the four-factor model and rejected the theoretical three-factor model in both samples. The results are discussed in relation to cultural differences in overall autobiographical memory usage as well as sharing versus non-sharing aspects of social remembering.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. annesr@psy.au.dk
authors.forename: Anne S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Tilmann
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Habermas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003718:Denmark; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological