An article by Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology Azriel Grysman was recently published in the journal Memory. “Gender and gender typicality in autobiographical memory: A replication and extension” presents the results of research conducted on campus with students. Amelia Denney ’17 and Sarah Dimakis ’17 coded the narrative data reported in the paper.
The goal of the study on autobiographical memory (AM) was to provide more clarity as to where and why gender differences emerge. Controlling for factors thought to be relevant to gender, the study tested shorter and longer term autobiographical memory using both narrative and questionnaire measures. The research also examined whether the differences were mediated by subscription to feminine-typical traits.
Grysman said, “The data reported in this study support current models of gender in AM by replicating previous findings with narrative data, by extending data on narrative measures to shorter term events and to a controlled event prompt (acceptance letter), and by demonstrating the relevance of pursuing additional measures linked to gender. The results indicate the value of studying gender in order to attain a deeper understanding of the interaction between memory, self, and social factors.”
He noted that replication is the cornerstone of a living and growing science.
“It is exciting as a scientist to watch my research program develop and change as I learn more through every attempt to confirm or disconfirm past ideas while crafting new ones,” Grysman added.
