Laan, Jonne van der (2025) When Memories Take Centre Stage: The Role of Frequent Retrieval, Accessibility, and Event Centrality in the Development of Involuntary Memories. Research Master thesis, Research Master.
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JFvanderLaan-S4347544-Masters-Thesis-15-06-2025.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Nearly two decades ago, Berntsen and Rubin (2006) launched a theory of traumatic memories, in which they argued that event centrality is responsible for the development and persistence of post-traumatic stress symptoms such as involuntary memories. Previous research provides correlational evidence for the proposed relationships, but causal evidence crucial for developing therapeutic interventions is still lacking. The current study introduces a new, experimental approach to investigate how frequent retrieval is related to a memory’s event centrality, accessibility, and the occurrence of involuntary memories. A total of 30 participants with a mean age of 20 years old took part in a within-subjects experiment. They recalled six personal memories (three negative and three positive) and answered questions about each of the memories during three lab sessions (baseline, post-experiment, one-week follow-up). Between the first two sessions, they frequently retrieved one of the positive memories for six days, whenever they received a notification from an online application. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyse the data – split into two datasets. The results yielded no statistically significant effect of frequent retrieval on memory accessibility, event centrality, and the occurrence of involuntary memories. Combining this with the methodological complications encountered during data collection, the evidence found in this study is inconclusive. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed, as well as limitations and recommendations for future research on this topic.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Wessel, J.P. |
| Degree programme: | Research Master |
| Differentiation route: | Mental health: perspectives from Neuro- and Clinical Psychology [Research Master] |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Jul 2025 11:52 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Jul 2025 11:52 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5226 |
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