BEHAVIORAL METHODS EMPLOYED TO INVESTIGATE THE STRUCTURE OF AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMORIES

Memory research conducted in laboratories require controlled experiments in order to eliminate the confounding factors that can affect memory retrieval. However autobiographical memories require the retrieval of distant memories which are most of the time not verifiable. Due to the differences related to Autobiographical memory these controlled experiments cannot be used and different methods are required. Cue word technique, diary studies, recording event by using devices, Autobiographical Memory Interview and Autobiographical Interview are some of the behavioral methods employed for Autobiographical memory research. These methods have both some advantages and some disadvantages, which should be considered before they are used. The findings from the studies employing these methods indicated that Autobiographical memory has a hierarchical organization, it consists of a sementic component and an episodic component, and some of the cues are ineffective for the retrieval of autobiographical memories. Most of these methods can also be employed in research investigating the impaired components of autobiographical memory for patients with memory disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. In this review the bahavioral methods empleyed to investigate the structure of Autobiographical memories will be explored. First the differences of autobiographical memory from memory investigated in laboratory and the need for different methods in autobiographical memory research will be mentioned. Then behavioral methods to investigate the structure of Autobiographical memory, how they are used and the findings obtained from these studies seperately and in common will be discussed.