A Phenomenological Model of Overgeneral Memory

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Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Devilly, Grant
Other Supervisors
Shum, David
Year published
2014
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Overgeneral memory retrieval (OGM) is defined as a difficulty recalling specific personal memories, and/or the tendency to recall non-specific memories, when asked to recall an event in response to emotional cue words. This research project examined the nature of cognitive processes underlying OGM in individuals with a history of trauma and depression. Regardless of the large body of existing research, the following points remain unclear: the course of OGM (e.g., the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of OGM); the reason why trauma history and depression are particularly relevant to OGM; and the relationships between a ...
View more >Overgeneral memory retrieval (OGM) is defined as a difficulty recalling specific personal memories, and/or the tendency to recall non-specific memories, when asked to recall an event in response to emotional cue words. This research project examined the nature of cognitive processes underlying OGM in individuals with a history of trauma and depression. Regardless of the large body of existing research, the following points remain unclear: the course of OGM (e.g., the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of OGM); the reason why trauma history and depression are particularly relevant to OGM; and the relationships between a history of trauma, depression and OGM. To answer these points, the similarities and differences of OGM in individuals with a history of trauma and depression were examined through a series of studies. Prior to the main studies, the role of childhood trauma as opposed to adulthood trauma in OGM was examined in Study 1 (Ono & Devilly, 2013) based on the idea that OGM is a developmental memory deficit. As its significant relationship with OGM was found, childhood trauma became the focus of this research project.
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View more >Overgeneral memory retrieval (OGM) is defined as a difficulty recalling specific personal memories, and/or the tendency to recall non-specific memories, when asked to recall an event in response to emotional cue words. This research project examined the nature of cognitive processes underlying OGM in individuals with a history of trauma and depression. Regardless of the large body of existing research, the following points remain unclear: the course of OGM (e.g., the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of OGM); the reason why trauma history and depression are particularly relevant to OGM; and the relationships between a history of trauma, depression and OGM. To answer these points, the similarities and differences of OGM in individuals with a history of trauma and depression were examined through a series of studies. Prior to the main studies, the role of childhood trauma as opposed to adulthood trauma in OGM was examined in Study 1 (Ono & Devilly, 2013) based on the idea that OGM is a developmental memory deficit. As its significant relationship with OGM was found, childhood trauma became the focus of this research project.
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Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
School of Applied Psychology
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
Overgeneral memory retrieval (OGM)
Trauma and memory
Childhood trauma