Visual object imagery and autobiographical memory: Object Imagers are better at remembering their personal past |
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Authors: | Manila Vannucci Claudia Pelagatti Carlo Chiorri Giuliana Mazzoni |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of NEUROFARBA-Section of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy;2. Department of Educational Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy;3. Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull, UK |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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Keywords: | Mental imagery Visual object imagery Autobiographical memory Involuntary memories |
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