Visual object imagery and autobiographical memory: object imagers are better at remembering their personal past

Vannucci, Manila; Pelagatti, Claudia; Chiorri, Carlo; Mazzoni, Giuliana

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.

Citation

Vannucci, M., Pelagatti, C., Chiorri, C., & Mazzoni, G. (2016). Visual object imagery and autobiographical memory: object imagers are better at remembering their personal past. Memory, 24(4), 455-470. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2015.1018277

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 6, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Mar 9, 2015
• Publication Date: Apr 20, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 5, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: May 5, 2015
• Journal: Memory
• Print ISSN: 0965-8211
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-0686
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 455-470
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2015.1018277
• Keywords: Mental imagery; Visual object imagery; Autobiographical memory; Involuntary memories
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/373390
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09658211.2015.1018277#.VUjnkk90wzs
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Memory on 09/03/2015, available online: http://wwww.tandfonline.com/10.1080/09658211.2015.1018277