Current issues in autobiographical memory

Convenors: Chris Moulin & Catriona Morrison, University of Leeds

Autobiographical memory can be described as the 'psychological history of the self'. Central to this view is the idea that memory of our own life in some way supports our personality and our self construct. In this symposium, four talks describe this view, and illustrate a few issues that outline the breadth of this field at present. Given that autobiographical memory function is seen to have increasing impact in clinical and educational settings, it is critical that some of the basic measurement and theoretical issues are addressed. In this symposium, the basis of autobiographical memory in tha brain, and the intersection between autobiographical memory and other areas of cognitive function (such as language) are covered. In addition, researchers consider the cues which cause memories to come to mind, and the best way of measuring them.

Paper 1 - Pascale Piolino
"Episodic autobiographical memory across the lifespan: new insights from neuropsychological and neuroimaging data"

Paper 2 - Lia Kvavilashvili and Simone Schlagman
"Involuntary autobiographical memories in and outside the laboratory: How different are they from voluntary autobiographical memories?"

Paper 3 - Catriona Morrison
"Language and autobiographical memory"

Paper 4 - Alex Fradera
"Studying the autobiographical past: verification and standards of measurement"

Discussant - Martin Conway