Superior memory: an example of the benefits of examining individual differences in cognitive psychology

Comments on an article by Robert Logie (see record 2018-64362-002). Author agrees with Logie that there is potentially much to be gained now from cognitive psychology research that investigates individual differences. Author would add the caveat, and Logie alludes to this too, that the traditional approach of comparing experimental conditions has been more productive than any other and has led to useful general theories (and descriptions of cognitive phenomena) in the areas of perception, attention, memory, and reasoning. Research with experimental-condition comparisons utilizing random assignment has revolutionized psychology and brought a well-rounded understanding of the mind that far surpassed contributions to psychology before the field used such methods. Nevertheless, because many reliable foundational theories (or general principles) have now already been established using this experimental method, it may now be a good time to incorporate more individual differences research, including investigating of how different people perform the same research task (as Logie suggests). Such research could either modify general theories or generate specific explanations of cognitive phenomena within a narrow focus (e.g., explanations of mechanisms within atypical samples). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved

Individual differences and correlates of highly superior autobiographical memory

Highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) is a recently identified ability that has been difficult to explain with existing memory science. The present study measured HSAM participants\u27 and age/gender-matched controls\u27 on a number of behavioural measures to test three main hypotheses: imaginative absorption, emotional arousal, and sleep. HSAM participants were significantly higher than controls on the dispositions absorption and fantasy proneness. These two dispositions also were associated with a measure of HSAM ability within the hyperthymesia participants. The emotional-arousal hypothesis yielded only weak support. The sleep hypothesis was not supported in terms of quantity, but sleep quality may be a small factor worthy of further research. Other individual differences are also documented using a predominantly exploratory analysis. Speculative pathways describing how the tendencies to absorb and fantasise could lead to enhanced autobiographical memory are discussed

Reshaping memories through conversations : considering the influence of others on historical memories of abuse

As readers of Applied Cognitive Psychology, we are all familiar with the controversies of the ‘memory wars’ of the late 20th century (see, e.g., Davies & Dalgleish 2001; Ost 2013; Patihis, Ho, Tingen, Lilienfeld & Loftus 2014; and Read & Lindsay 1997, for reviews). While some of us believe firmly that this controversy was resolutely resolved others maintain that there remains many unanswered questions. At the very least, for the individuals and their families directly caught up in this battle, the result was ultimately a pyrrhic victory. In the last few years, however, the issues surrounding memories of abuse have resurfaced, but in a new form: while in the 20th century the battle was contained within families; in the 21st century the battle has taken on a much more public nature. Specifically, celebrities, politicians and high profile individuals have found themselves publically accused of molesting children in previous decades, sometimes as long ago as half a century, and are referred to as ‘historical memories of abuse’ (e.g., recent allegations against Jimmy Savile in the UK and Bill Cosby in the USA)

Superior Memory: An Example of the Benefits of Examining Individual Differences in Cognitive Psychology

Comments on an article by Robert Logie (see record 2018-64362-002). Author agrees with Logie that there is potentially much to be gained now from cognitive psychology research that investigates individual differences. Author would add the caveat, and Logie alludes to this too, that the traditional approach of comparing experimental conditions has been more productive than any other and has led to useful general theories (and descriptions of cognitive phenomena) in the areas of perception, attention, memory, and reasoning. Research with experimental-condition comparisons utilizing random assignment has revolutionized psychology and brought a well-rounded understanding of the mind that far surpassed contributions to psychology before the field used such methods. Nevertheless, because many reliable foundational theories (or general principles) have now already been established using this experimental method, it may now be a good time to incorporate more individual differences research, including investigating of how different people perform the same research task (as Logie suggests). Such research could either modify general theories or generate specific explanations of cognitive phenomena within a narrow focus (e.g., explanations of mechanisms within atypical samples). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved

The historical significance of the discovery of long-term potentiation:an overview and evaluation for nonexperts

This article evaluates, in nontechnical language for those not familiar with neuroscience jargon, the historical significance of Bliss and Lømo\u27s (1973) landmark discovery of long term potentiation (LTP) by establishing precedent context, describing the finding, and then looking at the subsequent decades of LTP research. To set the LTP discovery in context, the article briefly reviews the precedent theories of synaptic information storage and the empirical precedents of frequency potentiation, synaptic facilitation, and the identification of the hippocampal area as being memory related. I then discuss and explain Bliss and Lømo\u27s intitial work whereby they found synaptic strengthening that lasted for hours. To better evaluate the importance of their discovery, the article discusses the confirmatory evidence of the decades of LTP research that followed. In this way the article evaluates the replicability, generalizability, and mechanisms behind the phenomena. Perhaps most importantly, I discuss the evidence for LTP being an important mechanism that explains some aspects of learning and memory. The article concludes that at this time Bliss and Lømo\u27s discovery looks to be a profound discoverty in the history of science

Reports of recovered memories of abuse in therapy in a large age-representative U.S. national sample:therapy type and decade comparisons

The potential hazards of endeavoring to recover ostensibly repressed memories of abuse in therapy have previously been documented. Yet no large survey of the general public about memory recovery in therapy has been conducted. In an age-representative sample of 2,326 adults in the United States, we found that 9% (8% weighted to be representative) of the total sample reported seeing therapists who discussed the possibility of repressed abuse, and 5% (4% weighted) reported recovering memories of abuse in therapy for which they had no previous memory. Participants who reported therapists discussing the possibility of repressed memories of abuse were 20 times more likely to report recovered abuse memories than those who did not. Recovered memories of abuse were associated with most therapy types, and most associated with those who reported starting therapy in the 1990s. We discuss possible problems with such purported memory recovery and make recommendations for clinical training

Psychometric Comparison of Dissociative Experiences Scales II and C: A Weak Trauma-Dissociation Link

The debate regarding the relationship between dissociation and trauma has raised questions regarding the validity of measures of dissociation. Dalenberg et al.\u27s (2012) meta-analysis included studies using the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES II), but excluded the DES-Comparison (DES-C) scale, claiming that it lacked validity as a measure of dissociation. Lynn et al. (2014) contended that omitting those studies might have skewed the results. In the current study, we compared the psychometric properties of both measures in two nonclinical US adult (student, general population) samples to evaluate the convergent and discriminant validity of the scales. We found support for the DES-II as a measure of dissociation as well as the validity and reliability of the DES-C, which compares well to the DES II. Compared with studies in Dalenberg et al., we found lower correlations between trauma and dissociation. No empirical basis exists to exclude studies using the DES-C in literature reviews. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd