Output order effects in autobiographical memory in old age: further evidence for an emotional organisation

Emotional and temporal order effects - a comparison between word-cued and important autobiographical memories recall orders

The retrieval mechanisms associated with the recall of autobiographical memories (AMs) may differ according to the cueing method used to elicit AMs. In the present study, we provide a systematic comparison between word-cued and important AMs in terms of two recall order effects, namely a temporal and an emotional order effect. The sample comprised 104 adults aged between 59 and 90 years. On two measurement occasions, participants recalled up to 20 word-cued and 15 important AMs. For each memory, participants provided their age at the time when the event occurred (age-at-event) and rated its emotionality. Order effects were analysed based on multivariate multilevel model with autoregressive effects for emotionality and age-at-event, respectively. Whereas word-cued AMs showed a stronger emotional order effect, important AMs were recalled temporarily ordered. Individuals differed in the extent to which they ordered AMs along a temporal or emotional dimension. These differences could partly be explained by personality traits. For instance, higher scores on neuroticism were associated with a stronger emotional order effect in both memory types. Findings are discussed in terms of the retrieval mechanisms that are involved in the recall of word-cued and important memory recall and how they may be affected by personality.

Bringing Order to Life: Temporal Order Effects during the Recall of Important Autobiographical Memories in Young and Old Adults

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated whether younger and older adults differ in the extent to which they order their important autobiographical memories (AMs) in a chronological way during recall. Moreover, the number of autobiographical memories to be recalled was systematically varied in order to examine whether manipulating the size of the search sample affects the use of a chronological recall strategy.

METHODS

Data come from 118 younger adults (M = 23.12, SD = 3.33) and 124 older adults (M = 69.79, SD = 8.94) who recalled either seven or thirteen important AMs.

RESULTS

Using multilevel linear growth models, a temporal order effect for younger and older adults was found. For older adults, the temporal order effect was much more pronounced. The number of recalled events, however, did not affect the temporal order effect.

CONCLUSION

Our findings point to a higher need for a structured search or a stronger engagement in autobiographical reasoning processes in older age. Furthermore, asking for important AMs encourages participants to provide a comprehensive overview of their life independent of the number of important AMs to be recalled.