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CONTRASTING TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP RETRIEVAL METHODS FOR ASSESSING AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMORY

Martin, Lea (2016) CONTRASTING TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP RETRIEVAL METHODS FOR ASSESSING AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMORY. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Autobiographical memory (AM) is a unique type of memory for storing personally relevant information. AM specificity has been linked to a variety of psychological functions and mental health outcomes. Researchers have relied on two approaches to measure AM specificity: generative retrieval, wherein individuals are cued to initiate a top-down search for a memory, and direct retrieval, wherein a highly specific cue induces bottom-up activation of a memory. AM has almost always been assessed via generative retrieval measures, which fail to fully measure AM access as they exclude instances of bottom-up AM retrieval. Consequently, generative retrieval measures may confound AM specificity with executive functioning because generative retrieval engages working memory to a greater extent than direct retrieval. This study compared direct retrieval (odor-elicited) and generative retrieval (sentence-completion) measures of AM access and contrasted working memory’s association with both types of retrieval in 87 community-dwelling adult smokers. Analyses revealed no correlation between generative and direct retrieval measures. In addition, neither type of retrieval was significantly associated with working memory capacity. Concerns about measurement validity for the study sample limited the conclusions that could be drawn from the data, but highlighted the need for increased prudence when selecting memory measures. Future work using a broad and multimodal approach to AM assessment should continue to investigate the relationship between top-down and bottom-up approaches to measuring AM access, as this holds promise for understanding AM structure and its relation to a host of psychologically meaningful constructs.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Martin, Lealmm194@pitt.edu
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairSayette, Michaelsayette@pitt.edu
Committee MemberFiez, Juliefiez@pitt.edu
Committee MemberErickson, Kirkkiericks@pitt.edu
Date: 27 October 2016
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 31 August 2016
Approval Date: 27 October 2016
Submission Date: 21 October 2016
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 49
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Psychology
Degree: MS - Master of Science
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: autobiographical memory, odor, working memory
Date Deposited: 27 Oct 2016 16:43
Last Modified: 21 Jan 2017 06:15
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/29979

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