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SAGE Journal User Guide

Wang, Q. & Brockmeier, J. (2002). Autobiographical remembering as cultural practice: Understanding the interplay between memory, self, and culture. Culture Psychology, 8, 45-64.

1. In their paper, the authors examine several genres of autobiographical remembering. One of these, the idea that we cast ourselves as the central character in our remembrances, is linked to western culture. The other view, in which the social context of the narrator is given importance, is linked to Asian culture. Based on these views of remembering one’s past, do you think it’s possible to purely experience semantic forms of memory or is all memory episodic?
2. Would you expect individuals who have lived in western and non-western cultures to possess an integrated autobiographical memory of their experiences that blends the two genres of narrative or separate autobiographical memories contextualized to each genre?
3. The authors make the suggestion that western culture leads to the development of an independently oriented self, whereas non-western culture promotes the development of an interdependently oriented self. According to the authors, what is the character of memory associated with each of these orientations?

Malhotra, N.K. (1991). Mnemonics in marketing: A pedagogical tool. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 19, 141-149.

1. The author distinguishes between two broad categories of mnemonic techniques: Organizational and encoding. What are the differences between these categories? With what type of material would it be most useful to employ organizational mnemonics? With what type of material would it be most useful to employ encoding mnemonics?
2. Which mnemonic techniques, organizational or encoding, would provide a greater depth of processing?
3. In the discussion section, the author points out some of the criticisms of mnemonic techniques. What are some of these criticisms? Do you agree or disagree with these criticisms?

Harvey, J.H., Flanary, R., & Morgan, M. (1986). Vivid memories of vivid loves gone by. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 3, 359-373.

1. That aspects of the break-up of a close romantic relationship would you expect to have the qualities of a flashbulb memory?
2. The authors report that flashbulb memories were the most vivid for individuals who scored higher on a scale of depression. Why do you think heightened feelings of depression can increase the vividness of personal memories?
3. How do flashbulb memories of events experienced in one’s personal life, such as break-ups, differ from those of important historical events such as the Challenger disaster?