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Cited by 526Identity, Memory, and TherapyMemory Processes and InfluencesCognitive Functions and Memory

The specificity of autobiographical memory and imageability of the future

Open access
Williams, J. Mark G., Ellis, Nick C., Tyers, Claire, Healy, Helen, Rose, Gillian, Macleod, Andrew K.·1996·Memory & Cognition
DOI 10.3758/bf03197278
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Abstract

Three studies examined whether the specificity with which people retrieve episodes from their past determines the specificity with which they imagine the future. In the first study, suicidal patients and nondepressed controls generated autobiographical events and possible future events in response to cues. Suicidal subjects' memory and future responses were more generic, and specificity level for the past and the future was significantly correlated for both groups. In the second and third studies, the effect of experimental manipulation of retrieval style was examined by instructing subjects to retrieve specific events or summaries of events from their past (Experiment 2) or by giving high- or low-imageable words to cue memories (Experiment 3). Results showed that induction of a generic retrieval style reduced the specificity of images of the future. It is suggested that the association between memory retrieval and future imaging arises because the intermediate descriptions used in searching autobiographical memory are also used to generate images of possible events in the future.

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  • Differences in how ideators and attempters imagine events or consequences are consistent with our hypotheses, since the ability to simulate future events would affect individuals' awareness of the impact of suicide on their goals.

    “In addition, differences in how ideators and attempters imagine events or consequences (Williams et al., 1996; Klonsky and May, 2010) are consistent with our hypotheses, since the ability to simulate future events would affect individuals’ awareness of the impact of suicide on their goals.”

    From The Psychological Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Strategy of Control Without Awareness (2021) · cites this paper as Williams et al., 1996

    The General Discussion reports that suicidal subjects had more difficulty imagining specific future events than matched controls. But Experiment 1 Method Subjects identifies the suicidal group as patients admitted after self-poisoning; the paper does not compare ideators with attempters or examine how they imagine the consequences of suicide. The claim’s proposed effect on awareness of goals is the citing authors’ hypothesis, not a finding of this source. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • Reduced ability to generate specific details when imagining future events may result in less specific content of "flash-forward" suicide imagery, since suicide imagery occurs by the same process by which individuals imagine future events.

    “This reduced ability to generate specific details when imagining future events may result in less specific content of “flash-forward” suicide imagery, since suicide imagery occurs by the same process by which individuals imagine future events (Williams et al., 1996; Holmes et al., 2007b).”

    From The Psychological Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Strategy of Control Without Awareness (2021) · cites this paper as Williams et al., 1996

    The General Discussion (page not provided) reports that suicidal subjects had more difficulty generating specific images of future events than controls. The paper does not examine “flash-forward” suicide imagery or establish that it arises through the same process as imagining future events, so the proposed extension to its content is not supported by this source. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Overgeneral memory is correlated with reduced problem-solving performance and imageability of future events, suggesting the lack of specificity in recalling past life events constrains the cognitive set of viable possible actions readily available to conscious awareness.

    “Overgeneral memory is correlated with reduced problem-solving performance 79 and imageability of future events 80 , suggesting the lack of specificity in recalling past life events constrains the 'cognitive set' of viable possible actions that are readily available to conscious awareness.”

    From Neuroplasticity in cognitive and psychological mechanisms of depression: an integrative model (2020) · cites this paper as [80]

  • Suicide attempters have a less specific memory retrieval style than non-attempters, and also demonstrate reduced specificity compared to non-attempters when imagining future events.

    “Suicide attempters have a less specific memory retrieval style than non-attempters, and also demonstrate reduced specificity compared to non-attempters when imagining future events (Williams et al., 1996).”

    From The Psychological Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Strategy of Control Without Awareness (2021) · cites this paper as Williams et al., 1996

  • Patients with depression who have trouble retrieving specific past memories also have trouble imagining specific future episodes.

    “Patients with depression who have trouble retrieving specific memories from their past also have trouble imagining specific future episodes (Williams et al. 1996).”

    From The evolution of foresight: What is mental time travel, and is it unique to humans? (2007) · cites this paper as Williams et al. 1996

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. [17]17. PETRIE, K., CHAMBERLAIN, K., & CLARKE, D. (1988). Psychological predictors offuture suicidal behavior in hospitalized suicide attempters. British Journal ofClinical Psychology, 27, 247-258.
  2. [20]20. SCHANK, R. C. (1982). Dynamic memory. Cambridge: Cambridge Uni- versity Press.
  3. [21]21. SPITZER, R. L., ENDICOTT, 1., & ROBINS, E. (1978). Research diagnostic criteria (ROC) for a selected group of functional disorders (3rd ed.). New York: New YorkState Psychiatric Institute, Biometrics Research.
  4. [24]24. WETZEL, R. D., MARGULIES, 1., DAVIS, R., & KARAM, E. (1980). Hope- lessness, depression, and suicidal intent. Journal ofClinical Psychia- try, 41,159-160.
  5. [30]30. WILLIAMS, J. M. G., & POLLOCK, L. R. (1993). Factors mediating suici- dal behavior: Implications for primary and secondary prevention. Journal 0/Mental Health, 2, 3-26.

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Authors
Williams, J. M. G., Ellis, N. C., Tyers, C., Healy, H., Rose, G., & Macleod, A. K.
Affiliations
  • Bangor University (GB)
  • University of London (GB)
Corresponding author
Williams, J. Mark G.
ORCID
Venue
Memory & Cognition
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
1996-01
Volume
24
Issue
1
Pages
116-125
ISSN
  • 0090-502X (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-5946
DOI
10.3758/bf03197278
OpenAlex
W2095047429
Cited by
526
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 32 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 39
FWCI
2.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Memory & Cognition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Deep Blue (University of Michigan) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords
autobiographical memory, future events, imageability, memory specificity, suicidal patients, depression, mental imagery
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Imagination, Life Change Events, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Mental Recall, Suicide, Attempted, Drug Overdose

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