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Cited by 46Innovative Human-Technology InteractionMemory Processes and InfluencesIdentity, Memory, and Therapy

Technology-Mediated Memory: Is Technology Altering Our Memories And Interfering With Well-Being?

Konrad, Artie, Isaacs, Ellen, Whittaker, Steve·2016·ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction
DOI 10.1145/2934667
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Abstract

Technology increasingly allows us to capture and revisit rich digital records of our lives, processes which we call Technology-Mediated Memory (TMM). We explore whether TMM alters unmediated remembering and also whether such changes affect psychological well-being. Human memory biases promote well-being by adaptively editing our memories, making them more positive. In contrast, TMM often provides rich records of what people actually did and felt, which could disrupt adaptive edits. To explore this, we developed a smartphone-based personal TMM application, Echo, that allows participants to record and later reflect on everyday events. In a month-long deployment, 64 users made over 3200 recordings and reflections. We found that although Echo TMM alters how we remember, these changes remain adaptive. Instead of compromising adaptive biases, Echo TMM helps well-being and benefits are sustained long-term. Logfile analysis shows that participants use Echo strategically to prospectively edit by initially reporting events positively to anticipate future viewing. Participants also distance themselves from past negative events by reflecting more positively than at recording. We discuss design and theoretical implications.

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Crossref · 10.1145/2934667

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  • The stored information typically represents a combination of different media sources, including written text, photos, videos, and audio recordings.

    “Moreover, the stored information typically represents a combination of different media sources, including but not limited to written text, photos, videos, and audio recordings (Konrad et al., 2016).”

    From Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model (2024) · cites this paper as Konrad et al., 2016

  • The mere presence of a digital record does not disrupt memory processes that help individuals to uphold a positive self-image.

    “there is evidence indicating that the mere presence of a digital record does not disrupt memory processes that help individuals to uphold a positive self-image (Konrad et al., 2016).”

    From Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model (2024) · cites this paper as Konrad et al., 2016

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Authors
Konrad, A., Isaacs, E., & Whittaker, S.
Affiliations
  • University of California, Santa Cruz (US)
  • Google (United States) (US)
ORCID
Whittaker, Steve
Venue
ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction
Publisher
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Published
2016-08-13
Volume
23
Issue
4
Pages
1-29
ISSN
  • 1073-0516 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-7325
DOI
10.1145/2934667
OpenAlex
W2514989537
Cited by
46
References
15
Citations by year
2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 1
FWCI
8.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.acm.org/publications/policies/copyright_policy#Background (vor, 365 d)
Locations
ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Science Foundation (IIS-1321102)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
Keywords
digital memory, memory bias, psychological well-being, mobile application, reflection, prospective memory, negative events

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