IV Nordic ISCAR1 Cultural and gender differences in autobiographical memories and self-...

IV Nordic ISCARIV Nordic ISCAR 11

Cultural and gender differences in Cultural and gender differences in autobiographical memories and self-autobiographical memories and self-

descriptions: A narrative analysisdescriptions: A narrative analysis

De la Mata Benítez, Manuel L.De la Mata Benítez, Manuel L.11

Hansen, Tia G. B.Hansen, Tia G. B.22

Santamaría Santigosa, AndrésSantamaría Santigosa, Andrés22

Ruiz Ramos , LucíaRuiz Ramos , Lucía33, ,

1. 1. Department of Experimental Psychology. University of Seville (Spain) Department of Experimental Psychology. University of Seville (Spain)

2. Department of Communication. Aalborg University (Denmark)2. Department of Communication. Aalborg University (Denmark)

3. Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico3. Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico))

IV Nordic ISCAR. Oslo, June 15th-17h 2007IV Nordic ISCAR. Oslo, June 15th-17h 2007

Manuel Luis de la Mata Bení


Autobiographical memory (AM) emerges across the preschool Autobiographical memory (AM) emerges across the preschool years years and contributes to the emergence of a new concept of self. and contributes to the emergence of a new concept of self. It is related to changes that occur in different spheres of social, It is related to changes that occur in different spheres of social, personality and cognitive development.personality and cognitive development.

The emergence and development of this form of memory is The emergence and development of this form of memory is related, according to Nelson, with the development of language, related, according to Nelson, with the development of language, a cultural tool that plays a fundamental role in this development a cultural tool that plays a fundamental role in this development

Individual AM is shaped by social experiences and cultural valuesIndividual AM is shaped by social experiences and cultural values

There are cultural, gender and individual differences in AM and There are cultural, gender and individual differences in AM and its development. its development.

Narratives and memories of personal experiences emerge from Narratives and memories of personal experiences emerge from social interactions. social interactions.

Autobiographical Memory:Autobiographical Memory: A Socio- A Socio-Cultural Developmental View Cultural Developmental View

(Nelson & Fivush, 2004)(Nelson & Fivush, 2004)


- - Self-construalSelf-construal

- Emotion situation knowledge- Emotion situation knowledge

- Beliefs about personal past- Beliefs about personal past

- Narrative environment- Narrative environment

Culture and AMCulture and AM Mechanisms of Cultural Influence Mechanisms of Cultural Influence

(Leitchman, Wang & Pillemer, 2003)(Leitchman, Wang & Pillemer, 2003)


Differences between Americans and Chinese Differences between Americans and Chinese college students in their earliest memories (Wang, college students in their earliest memories (Wang, 2001):2001):

AM & Self-ConstrualAM & Self-Construal

American studentsAmerican students

Earlier (6 months).Earlier (6 months).

LengthyLengthy

SpecificSpecific

Self-focusedSelf-focused

Emotionally elaborateEmotionally elaborate

Chinese studentsChinese students

Later (6 months).Later (6 months).

ShorterShorter

GeneralGeneral

Others-focusedOthers-focused

Emotionally less elaborateEmotionally less elaborate


Differences in Self-orientation between American and Chinese Differences in Self-orientation between American and Chinese college studentscollege students (Wang, 2001). (Wang, 2001).

Characteristics of Self-descriptionsCharacteristics of Self-descriptions

AmericansAmericans Chinese Chinese

- Self-focusedSelf-focused - Group oriented - Group oriented- Asertive- Asertive - Modest- Modest

Self oriented towards

independence

Self oriented towards

interdependence

Culture & AM. Self-construalCulture & AM. Self-construal


Studies about self-construal in Denmark, Spain Studies about self-construal in Denmark, Spain and Mexico show some differences between and Mexico show some differences between these countries in terms of individualism vs. these countries in terms of individualism vs. collectivism:collectivism:

(Hofstede, 1984, 2001, 2003; Oyserman, Coon & (Hofstede, 1984, 2001, 2003; Oyserman, Coon & Kemmelmeier, 2002)Kemmelmeier, 2002)

DenmarkDenmark Spain Spain MexicoMexico

Self-construalSelf-construalDenmark, Spain & MexicoDenmark, Spain & Mexico

Individualism

CollectivismismIndependent

selfInterdependent

self


AM & NarrativeAM & Narrative

Narratives are acquired in discursive practices Narratives are acquired in discursive practices about past experiences.about past experiences.

Narrative as a Narrative as a discourse genrediscourse genre and as way of and as way of organizing experience (organizing experience (thinkingthinking).).

The narrative form incorporates the structure of The narrative form incorporates the structure of events and perspectives, goals, temporal context, events and perspectives, goals, temporal context, causal structure (landscape of causal structure (landscape of actionaction, Bruner, 1986) , Bruner, 1986) and motivations, mental states, etc. (landscape of and motivations, mental states, etc. (landscape of consciousnessconsciousness).).


The study: AimsThe study: Aims

1) To analyse the relationship between AM and self-descriptions in college students.

2) To compare Danish, Spanish and Mexican students in the characteristics of their earliest memory and self-descriptions.

3) To analyse gender differences (and culture x gender interactions) in AM and self-descriptions.

4) To analyse some narrative aspects (i.e. the use of action & mental verbs and metacognitive evaluations ) of the earliest memory.


ParticipantsParticipants

College students from three different universities in College students from three different universities in three countries:three countries:

Aalborg Universitet (Denmark).Aalborg Universitet (Denmark).

Universidad de Sevilla (Spain).Universidad de Sevilla (Spain).

Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico.Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico.

Half females and half malesHalf females and half males Similar socio-economic background.Similar socio-economic background.


Wang (2001, 2004). Written questionnairesWang (2001, 2004). Written questionnaires::

InstrumentInstrument

Autobiographical Autobiographical memorymemory

Narrative of the Narrative of the earliest memoryearliest memory

Questions about Questions about accesibiliy and accesibiliy and

emotionsemotions

Self ConstrualSelf Construal Twenty Statements Twenty Statements Test (TST)Test (TST)


Categories of analysisCategories of analysis (Wang, 2001, 2004)(Wang, 2001, 2004)

AMAM

• Memory volumeMemory volume

• Age at earliest memoryAge at earliest memory

• Memory contentMemory content

• Memory specificityMemory specificity

• Memory emotionalityMemory emotionality

• Autonomous orientationAutonomous orientation

• Number of othersNumber of others

• Interaction scenarioInteraction scenario

• Other-self ratioOther-self ratio

• Prior recollectionPrior recollection

Self-DescriptionsSelf-Descriptions

• OrganizationOrganization

• EvaluationEvaluation

• AbstractionAbstraction

• ContentContent


Narrative Analysis (Units)Narrative Analysis (Units)

Action Verbs unitsAction Verbs units

Mental verbs units:Mental verbs units:

CognitiveCognitive

IntentionalIntentional

EmotionalEmotional

Metacognitive unitsMetacognitive units

Kappa = .933 (sentences)

Kappa = .873 (Self/others)

Smorti, A. (2004). Narrative strategies among early adoslescents involved in bully-victim relationships. Journal of School Violence, 4(1), 5-27


Results. AMResults. AMCultureCulture

Age at the earliest memory

43,3 43,9

55,76

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Age (months)

Danish St.

Spanish Stds.

Mexican Stds.

Culture: F = 12.89; df= 2; p < .001 ** Culture: F = 12.89; df = 2; p > .001 **

* p < .05

** P < .01

Emotions

1,17

1,892,17

0

1

2

3

4

No of emotions

Danish St.

Spanish Stds.

Mexican Stds.


Results. AMResults. AMGenderGender

Prior recollection

3,352,93

0

1

2

3

4

5

Women

Men

Gender: F = 11.08; df = 1; p = .001 **

* p < .05

** P < .01

Autonomous orientation

2,92

2,34

0

1

2

3

4

5

Women

Men

Gender: F = 5.38; df = 1; p = .021 *


Results. AMResults. AMCulture x GenderCulture x Gender

Culture x Gender: F = 4.34; df = 2; p = .014 ** p < .05

** P < .01

Emotions

1,56

1,92 1,97

0,78

1,85

2,37

0

1

2

3

Danish St. Spanish St. Mexican St.

No of emotions

Women

Men


Results. AMResults. AMCulture x GenderCulture x Gender

Culture x Gender: χ2 = 8.85; df = 2; p = .012 ** p < .05

** P < .01

Specificity

94,6

70 7067,6

78,9 77,5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100


% of specific memories

Women

Men


Results. Self-DescriptionsResults. Self-DescriptionsCulture: EvaluationsCulture: Evaluations

Negative

1,842,21

1,51

0

1

2

3

4

5

Eval. scores

Danish St.

Spanish St.

Mexican St.

Positive

5,5 5,98

7,72

0123456789

10

Eval. scores

Danish St.

Spanish St.

Mexican St.

Culture: F = 36.65; df= 2; p < .001 **

* p < .05

** P < .01

Neutral

2,66

1,41

0,85

0

1

2

3

4

Eval. scores

Danish St.Spanish St.Mexican St.

Culture: F = 3.61; df= 2; p =.028 *

Culture: F = 34.96; df= 2; p < .001 **


Narrative analysis Narrative analysis CultureCulture

Metacognitive units

17,12

13,33

5,33

0

5

10

15

20

25

% Metacogn. units

Danish St.

Spanish Stds.

Mexican St.

Culture: F = 11.15; df= 2; p > .001 **


Narrative analysis Narrative analysis CultureCulture

Self

4,28

6,285,5

0

2

4

6

8

10

No. of units

Danish St.

Spanish Stds.

Mexican St.

Culture: F = 5.31; df= 2; p = .034 *


Narrative analysis Narrative analysis GenderGender

Emotional units

1,83 1,7

0

1

2

3

4

No. of units

Women

Men

Culture: F = 5.46; df= 2; p = .001 **


Narrative analysis Narrative analysis Culture x GenderCulture x Gender

Culture x Gender: F = 3.11; df = 2; p = .045 ** p < .05

** P < .01

Emotional units

1,57

1,93 1,98

0,78

1,87

2,38

0

1

2

3


No of units

Women

Men


Summary. Cultural & Gender Summary. Cultural & Gender differencesdifferences

Differences in AM between Danish, Spanish and Mexican college Differences in AM between Danish, Spanish and Mexican college students in the age of the earliest memory (earlier in the Danish and students in the age of the earliest memory (earlier in the Danish and Spanish students) and in emotions (more emotions in Mexicans and Spanish students) and in emotions (more emotions in Mexicans and Spaniards than in Danes).Spaniards than in Danes).

Culture and gender interaction in emotions (opposite trends in Culture and gender interaction in emotions (opposite trends in Danes and Mexicans) and specificity of the earliest memory Danes and Mexicans) and specificity of the earliest memory (different trends in Danes compared to Spaniards and Mexicans).(different trends in Danes compared to Spaniards and Mexicans).

Gender differences in autonomous orientation and prior Gender differences in autonomous orientation and prior recollections (both higher in women)recollections (both higher in women)

Differences between cultures in self-descriptions: more positive in Differences between cultures in self-descriptions: more positive in Mexicans, more negative in Spaniards and more neutral evaluation Mexicans, more negative in Spaniards and more neutral evaluation in Danes.in Danes.


Summary: narrative analysisSummary: narrative analysis

Danish and Spanish students used more metacognitive Danish and Spanish students used more metacognitive units than Mexicans.units than Mexicans.

Spanish and Mexican students used more units Spanish and Mexican students used more units referred to the self than Danes.referred to the self than Danes.

There was a gender difference in the use of emotional There was a gender difference in the use of emotional verbs (women used more). This trend vary across verbs (women used more). This trend vary across cultures, with opposite trends in Danes and Mexicans. cultures, with opposite trends in Danes and Mexicans. There was a very small gender difference in the There was a very small gender difference in the Spanish students.Spanish students.


ConclusionsConclusions

• Our data offered some evidence that is consistent with Our data offered some evidence that is consistent with the idea that Danish culture is more individualistic, and the idea that Danish culture is more individualistic, and Mexican culture more collectivistic, with the Spanish Mexican culture more collectivistic, with the Spanish culture in an intermediate levelculture in an intermediate level. . (except in the number of (except in the number of units referred to the self in the Danish students)units referred to the self in the Danish students)

• However, differences were not very big. This may be due However, differences were not very big. This may be due to:to:

• No large differences between these cultures in terms of No large differences between these cultures in terms of individualism-collectivism (Hofstede, 2001, 2003).individualism-collectivism (Hofstede, 2001, 2003).

• The three groups were formed by college students: The three groups were formed by college students: similarities in the socio-cultural activities they participate in.similarities in the socio-cultural activities they participate in.


Conclusions (2). Future researchConclusions (2). Future research

• Need to analyze within-group differences and identify Need to analyze within-group differences and identify patterns of relation between AM and self-description patterns of relation between AM and self-description variables.variables.

• Need to deepen the analysis of individualism and Need to deepen the analysis of individualism and collectivism as cultural dimensions and their relation to collectivism as cultural dimensions and their relation to independent vs. interdependent self-construals.independent vs. interdependent self-construals.

• Need to study the relationship between socio-cultural Need to study the relationship between socio-cultural context (activity settings), AM and self-construal.context (activity settings), AM and self-construal.

2626

Tusen takk!Tusen takk! Thank you for your Thank you for your

attention!attention!And thanks to:And thanks to:

Contact:

[email protected]@hum.aau.dk

Aja GreveAja GreveSusanne HolmSusanne HolmLone Lee JørgensenLone Lee JørgensenLene Hundal MikkelsenLene Hundal MikkelsenBirgitte Bergholt GrymerBirgitte Bergholt GrymerCecilie StjernholmCecilie StjernholmMalene Overgaard Thimm JensenMalene Overgaard Thimm JensenKamille Marie PöckelKamille Marie Pöckel

For their great help in collecting and coding the data


Cultural and gender differences in Cultural and gender differences in autobiographical memories and self-autobiographical memories and self-

descriptions: A narrative analysisdescriptions: A narrative analysis

De la Mata Benítez, Manuel L.De la Mata Benítez, Manuel L.11

Hansen, Tia G. B.Hansen, Tia G. B.22

Santamaría Santigosa, AndrésSantamaría Santigosa, Andrés22

Ruiz Ramos , LucíaRuiz Ramos , Lucía33, ,

1. 1. Department of Experimental Psychology. University of Seville (Spain) Department of Experimental Psychology. University of Seville (Spain)

2. Department of Communication. Aalborg University (Denmark)2. Department of Communication. Aalborg University (Denmark)

3. Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico3. Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico))

IV Nordic ISCAR. Oslo, June 15th-17h 2007IV Nordic ISCAR. Oslo, June 15th-17h 2007

Manuel Luis de la Mata Bení

IV Nordic ISCAR1 Cultural and gender differences in autobiographical memories and self-...

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