Cultural Influences on Memory

Flashcards covering key studies and concepts related to cultural influences on memory, including Cole & Scribner (1974), Kearins (1981), and Kulkofsky et al. (2011).

Cole & Scribner (1974)

Investigated memory strategies in schooled vs. unschooled children in Liberia and the USA, focusing on free recall.

Categorical Clustering

Memory strategy where items are grouped by category for recall, typically used by schooled children.

Conclusion of Cole & Scribner (1974)

Memory is universal, but specific strategies are learned and influenced by cultural context and schooling.

Kearins (1981)

Examined visual/spatial memory differences between Aboriginal and White Australian adolescents.

Results of Kearins (1981)

Aboriginal children outperformed White Australian children, likely due to the visual-spatial demands of their traditional desert lifestyle.

Conclusion of Kearins (1981)

Cultural practices shape domain-specific cognitive strengths; Aboriginal children's superior visual memory arises from environmental demands, not schooling.

Kulkofsky et al. (2011)

Investigated how individualism vs. collectivism influences the formation of flashbulb memories across cultures (China, Germany, Turkey, UK, USA).

Flashbulb Memories (FBM)

Memories of public events that are vivid and detailed, often associated with strong emotions.

Results of Kulkofsky et al. (2011)

In individualistic cultures, personal relevance and emotional intensity strongly predict FBM formation; in collectivist cultures, national events are more likely to form FBMs.

Conclusion of Kulkofsky et al. (2011)

Cultural values influence what events are emotionally encoded and rehearsed, affecting FBM formation; individual self-focus vs. group orientation.