Investigating the mediating role of self-construal on the relationship between cultural group (Malay and Australian) and the characteristics and functional use of autobiographical memory

ABSTRACT

Cultural differences in autobiographical memory characteristics and function have often been presumed to be associated with different cultural beliefs related to the self. The current research aimed to investigate whether self-construal mediated the relationship between cultural group and the characteristics and functional use of autobiographical memory. Caucasian Australians (n?=?71) and Malay Malaysians (n?=?50) completed an online questionnaire that included the Self-Defining Memory task, the Thinking About Life Experiences Revised Questionnaire and the Self Construal Scale. As expected, the Australian group provided longer, more autonomously oriented, specific memories than the Malay group. However, contrary to our predictions, self-construal did not mediate the relationships between cultural group and memory characteristics. The Malay group reported more frequently using autobiographical memories for self-continuity than the Australian group. Finally, there was support for an indirect pathway between cultural group and use of autobiographical memories for self-continuity and social-bonding through self-construal (i.e. independent self relative to interdependent self). The findings highlight the importance of explicitly examining values assumed to be associated with autobiographical remembering, and relating these values to memory characteristics and function.     

Cervical Cancer Survivors: Meaning in Life

This study endeavors to understand the meaning in life of cervical cancer survivors in India using narrative analysis. Cervical Cancer survivor participants were interviewed to obtain a holistic view of their experiences in their own words, which was followed by administration of Thematic Apperception Test. Interview data was analyzed using Narrative Analysis. The narratives indicated that the participants viewed life being predestined and guided by fate. In some cases the realization of immortality resulted in peace and satisfaction. This renewed meaning was strongly mediated by faith in God and increased religiosity which facilitated hope and resilience. Strong support systems further enhanced meaning in their lives. However, underlying factors like fatigue, fear of recurrence of the disease and perceived burden continue to be distressing factors. On the other hand, some participants who experienced a preoccupation with somatic complaints and ambivalent feelings toward God experienced a sense of meaninglessness, lack of purpose and diminished hope. The most frequently used defense mechanisms were sublimation, reaction formation, undoing, displacement and projection.     

Cetacean responses to violation of expectation paradigm in a free-swim context

Animal Cognition - The investigation of individual responses to unexpected stimuli or outcomes provides insights into basic cognitive processes, such as mental representations, emotional states of...