title: On the directive function of episodic memories in people's lives: a look at romantic relationships.
abstract: We argue that episodic memories have an active and directive function with respect to a number of relational outcomes. In line with self-determination theory, it is expected that the satisfaction of 3 needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) in couple-related memories facilitates the quality of romantic relationships and their development. Results of 4 studies support this contention. Study 1 showed that need satisfaction in couple-related memories was associated with relationship quality, even after controlling for other important relational constructs. Study 2 underscored the context-dependent aspect of the directive function of episodic memories. Need satisfaction in couple-related memories was found to be associated with partner relationship quality but not with friendship quality, whereas need satisfaction in friend-related memories was associated with friendship quality but not with partner relationship quality. Study 3 showed that couple-related memories contributed independently to each partner's perceptions of relationship quality, that is, both the rememberer and the partner. Study 4 showed the long-term directive function of episodic memories. Need satisfaction in couple-related memories positively and negatively predicted increases in relationship quality and the likelihood of a breakup over a 1-year period, respectively. This directive function of memories was examined along with the self function of memories (self-enhancement, self-protection) and shown to be complementary. We also examined the stability of need satisfaction in couple-related memories over time and investigated this stability as a function of whether the partners had broken up or not over the year. Overall, the findings suggest that episodic memories play an important role in romantic relationships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. philippe.frederick@uqam.ca
authors.forename: Frederick L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Philippe
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koestner
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lekes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D008960:Models, Psychological; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D013995:Time; D055815:Young Adult