Autobiographical memory, narrative and self-construal. A cross-cultural study.

Abstract

While variations in autobiographical memory are related to cultural differences in self-construal, more research is needed beyond comparison between North-American and Asian cultures. Our study examines the relationship between self-construal and autobiographical memory in Mexican, Spanish and Danish college students, using Wang’s methodology and categories, and the narrative memory organization. Results confirmed expected cultural differences, with more indicators of independence in Danes, more of interdependence in Mexicans, and Spanish in between, but the pattern was not strong. Some cultural differences were also observed in the narrative organization of the memories. Results supported the view of cultured self-construals, while also suggesting the need to pay attention to the situated character of cultural differences.