Visual object imagery and autobiographical memory: Object Imagers are better at remembering their personal past.
In the present study we examined whether higher levels of object imagery, a stable characteristic that reflects the ability and preference in generating pictorial mental images of objects, facilitate involuntary and voluntary retrieval of autobiographical memories (ABMs). Individuals with high (High-OI) and low (Low-OI) levels of object imagery were asked to perform an involuntary and a voluntary ABM task in the laboratory. Results showed that High-OI participants generated more involuntary and voluntary ABMs than Low-OI, with faster retrieval times. High-OI also reported more detailed memories compared to Low-OI and retrieved memories as visual images. Theoretical implications of these findings for research on voluntary and involuntary ABMs are discussed.
a Department of NEUROFARBA-Section of Psychology , University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
Manila
M
Vannucci
a Department of NEUROFARBA-Section of Psychology , University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
Claudia
C
Pelagatti
b Department of Educational Sciences , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
Carlo
C
Chiorri
c Department of Psychology , University of Hull , Kingston upon Hull , UK.
Giuliana
G
Mazzoni
D000328:Adult; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Autobiographical memory; Involuntary memories; Mental imagery; Visual object imagery