The Concept of Autobiographical Memory

Article Summary Considering that relationships form the core of human needs, it is obvious that interpersonal relationships influence people’s psychological functioning, mental health, and wellbeing. For example, individuals experiencing attachment security are known to possess high levels of self-esteem and excellent adaptive or coping strategies.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Concept of Autobiographical Memory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the other hand, individuals experiencing attachment anxiety and/or avoidance have been found to suffer from psychopathology and emotional distress (Sutin Gillath, 2009, p. 351). Therefore, many studies demonstrate the relationship between various attachment styles and the subsequent psychological distress particularly depression. However, to demonstrate this link, many researchers have had to rely on the way people predetermine, store, recover, and use dif ferent memories in their interpersonal relationships. Accordingly, Sutin and Gillath (2009) deviated from the previous studies by proposing that some measurable aspects of the autobiographical memory determine the relationship between attachment styles and psychological distress. The proposed components of the autobiographical memory measured by these researchers include the phenomenological experience and the emotional content of the memory. In their study, Sutin and Gillath (2009) tested the two components of the autobiographical memory in two separate studies. In the first study, 454 participants took part in a two-session survey whereby in the first session, the participants’ experiences were evaluated relative to different measures such as self-defining relationship memories, phenomenology, adult attachment, and depressive symptoms while in the second session, the participants were asked to retrieve and rate their self-defining relationship memory experiences regarding r omantic interactions. In the second study, 534 participants were introduced to one of the three priming conditions; attachment security (195 participants), attachment insecurity (157 participants), and the control condition (182 participants). After priming, the participants retrieved and rated their experiences regarding a self-defining memory (Sutin Gillath, 2009, pp. 353-358).Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The research findings show that memory phenomenology (memory coherence and emotional intensity) determined the relationship between attachment avoidance and depression while the negative affective content of the autobiographical memory determined the link between attachment anxiety and depression (Sutin Gillath, 2009, p. 355). On the other hand, priming the participants with attachment security made them to show more coherent relationship memories while attachment insecurity made the participants to show more incoherent relationship memories. Analysis The concept of autobiographical memory has been shown to mediate the association between different attachment styles and psychological distress. In fact, different aspects of autobiographical memory seem to be the product of a reconstructive process that underlies an individual’s emotional and motivational functioning. Here, various aspects of autobiographical memory play a major role in constructing and maintaining an individual’s self identity and promoting the development of intimacy. However, these memories are not always related to positive human functions. In some cases, the retrieval style for the autobiographical memories is susceptible to various depressive symptoms in that various intrusive memories can promote psychological distress particularly the post-traumatic stress disorder (Sutin Gillath, 2009, p. 352). As a result, autobiographical memories can determine the path to depre ssion vulnerability and psychological distress. According to Sutin and Gillath (2009), two major aspects of autobiographical memory, that is, phenomenology and content, demonstrated a consistent relationship with psychological distress. Therefore, there is evidence to suggest that the two aspects mediate attachment avoidance and anxiety. For instance, memory coherence and emotional intensity, which are related to phenomenology, play an important role in terms of mediating distress for avoidance as opposed to anxiety. On the other hand, memory incoherence is closely associated with attachment avoidance.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Concept of Autobiographical Memory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As opposed to avoidance, attachment anxiety is closely related to the memory’s emotional content. Overall, this study provides provocative evidence to suggest that there is a link between attachment style s and autobiographical memory, which in turn mediates psychological distress. Reference Sutin, A.R., Gillath, O. (2009). Autobiographical memory phenomenology and content mediate attachment style and psychological distress. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(3), 351-364. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/search/display?id=eaa94d4d-6224-7b53-e55b-513824ce224crecordId=1tab=PApage=1display=25sort=PublicationYearMSSort%20desc,AuthorSort%20ascsr=1 This essay on The Concept of Autobiographical Memory was written and submitted by user Madison C. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Caligula Essays - Julio-Claudian Dynasty, Caligula, Tiberius

Caligula Essays - Julio-Claudian Dynasty, Caligula, Tiberius Caligula As most of the emperors of ancient Rome were given different names then the names they had at birth Caligula was no different. Caligula's real name was Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus and he was born at Antium, 25 miles from Rome, in 12 AD Gaius was a turning point in the history of the Principate, but he also was the one emperor from the Julio-Claudian dynasty who was very poorly documented. ( Bibliography # 2). Gaius was born on August 31, 12 AD to Germanicus; Augustus' adopted grandson, and Agrippina Senior, Augustus' granddaughter. Gaius was the third of six children, the youngest son, and accompanied his parents on many military campaigns. As a baby his parents would dress him up in a miniature soldier costume and show him to the armies on their campaigns. Gaius received his nickname Caligula from the half boots or sandals that went with the costume called caligilas. The armies affectionately called him little boots or Caligula. ( Bibliography # 1,6). When Gaius as youth he developed an unhealthy relationship with his sisters Agrippina Jr, Drusilla and Julia Livilla. Gaius's two brothers and his mother were killed after they were accused of plotting against Tiberius. Gaius's father, Germanicus, died under what is recorded as suspicious circumstances on October 10, 19 AD After which, while Tiberius reigned, he was sent to live first with his great grandmother, Livia and then, when Livia died, with his grandmother, Antonia. ( Bibliography # 2,4-6). In 31 AD Gaius was summoned to join Tiberius at his villa on Capri. Gaius stayed there with Tiberius until he became emperor, in 37 AD, after Tiberius' death. ( Bibliography # 2,5). Before Gaius became emperor the only political related job Gaius held was an honorary quaestorship in 33 AD. After Tiberius' death on March 6, 37 AD Gaius was in the perfect position to assume the emperor's throne, despite Tiberius' will that named his Gaius and his cousin Tiberius Gemellus joint heirs. Because of this slight obstacle in his way he had Gemellus killed within a matter of months. After the death of Gemellus, Gaius had Tiberius's will declared null and void. Gaius said that the will was void because of insanity. ( Bibliography # 2,4). Although Gaius started his political career on the right track he went down, and down fast. Within four years the very guards that were assigned to protect him murdered him. Ancient sources agree that insanity was the cause of Gaius' downfall. The best reason that researches came up with for Gaius' madness was that he, being a young man, was thrown into the job and he saw through the disguise that Augustus had set up and acted accordingly. Because of this, and his troubled upbringing, and the complete lack of tact led to his wild behavior that his contemporaries as way too extreme and even insane. ( Bibliography # 1-3). During Gaius' reign he had Mauretania annexed and reorganized into two provinces, Herod Agrippa appointed to a kingdom in Palestine and many severe riots between Jews and Greeks took place. He Gauls dress up as Germans at his triumph and had his Roman troops collect seashells as spoils for the sea. ( Bibliography # 2). After uncovering a nascent conspiracy under Cn. Lentulus Gaetulicus, Gaius had his brother-in-law M. Aemilius Lepodus and Cn. Lentulus executed and his two surviving sisters, who were a part of the conspiracy exiled. Gaius had great enthusiasm for divine honors for himself and his favorite sister, Drusilla. After her sudden death in 38 AD he had her deified. He even tried to have a statue of himself erected in the Temple at Jerusalem, But through delaying techniques of P. Petronius and the intervention of Herod Agrippa prevented riots and uprisings in Palestine. ( Bibliography # 1-3). The conspiracy that ended Gaius's life was hatched between the officers of the Praetorian Guard, apparently for personal reasons. Even though the guards thought it up it appeared to have the support of some senators and an imperial freedman. ( Bibliography # 2). Just as other conspiracies there were suspicions that the plot was broader than sources had said in the beginning. The conspiracy might have even had the support of the next emperor Claudius, but there isn't evidence that proves these theories. ( Bibliography # 2). On