Recalling positive and negative events: a cross-cultural investigation of the functions of work-related memories

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmac.2020.10.001

Autobiographical memory serves three basic functions of self-continuity, social bonding, and directing behavior. Although previous research has analyzed functional remembering across cultures and emotional valence, little is known about their interactive dynamics. We coded functions of positive and negative work-related autobiographical memories of working adults from Singapore, Turkey, and the U.S. The results revealed an interaction between culture and memory type, whereby memories by Turkish participants were more likely to serve the self function, particularly in positive memories. Across cultures, positive memories scored higher on the social function than did negative memories. Memories by Turkish employees were the most, and Singaporean employees were the least likely to serve a social function. In contrast, narratives by both Singaporean and Turkish employees scored higher on the directive function than did narratives by American employees. The results are discussed in light of cultural differences in autobiographical memory usage as well as workplace relational norms.