Cornell University
Library
Cornell UniversityLibrary

eCommons

Help
Log In(current)
  1. Home
  2. Cornell University Graduate School
  3. Cornell Theses and Dissertations
  4. Cultural Difference in General Memory and Specific Memory

Cultural Difference in General Memory and Specific Memory

File(s)
Zhang_cornell_0058O_10270.pdf (347.55 KB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/X4J101DC
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/59286
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Zhang, Jiayi
Abstract

In this study, 68 Asian or Asian American students and 84 European American or White students from Cornell University were asked to recall their general memories and specific memories. Participants also rated their memory detailedness, memory valence, and emotional intensity for each of their memories, as well as their self-construal. This empirical study found that across cultures, people tend to recall more specific memories than general memories. Moreover, this study found an interaction effect between memory type and culture on memory accessibility, with Asians recalling more general events, whereas European Americans recalling more specific events. Our findings suggested that specific memories, compared with general memories, tended to be stronger in emotional intensity. Lastly, we found that independent self-construal would be helpful for individuals to report positive and intense emotion in their specific memory.

Date Issued
2018-05-30
Keywords
General Memory
•
Memory Accessibility
•
Memory Valence
•
Self-Construal
•
Specific Memory
•
Developmental psychology
•
Autobiographical Memory
Committee Chair
Wang, Qi
Committee Member
Sternberg, Robert J.
Degree Discipline
Human Development
Degree Name
M.A., Human Development
Degree Level
Master of Arts
Type
dissertation or thesis

Site Statistics | Help

About eCommons | Policies | Terms of use | Contact Us

copyright © 2002-2026 Cornell University Library | Privacy | Web Accessibility Assistance