Spatial context scaffolds long-term episodic richness of weaker real-world autobiographical memories in both older and younger adults

Bibliographic Data

ID21602455
AuthorsMiranda Chang (University of Toronto, corresponding author), Bryan Hong (0000-0001-5959-8957, University of Toronto), Katarina Savel (0000-0003-2292-9892, University of Toronto), Jialin Du (0009-0009-7728-7226, University of Toronto), Melissa E Meade (0000-0002-3337-7352, Huron University), Chris B Martin (0000-0002-7014-4371, Florida State University), Morgan D Barense (0000-0002-4008-9201, University of Toronto)
Year2024
Volume32
Issue4
Pages431-448
Publication date2024-04-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMemory (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0965-8211 • E-ISSN: 1464-0686
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09658211.2024.2334008
PMID38557252
OpenAlexW4393386531
LanguageEN
References cited86

Remembering life experiences involves recalling not only what occurred (episodic details), but also where an event took place (spatial context), both of which decline with age. Although spatial context can cue episodic detail recollection, it is unknown whether initially recalling an event alongside greater reinstatement of spatial context protects memory for episodic details in the long term, and whether this is affected by age. Here, we analysed 1079 personally-experienced, real-world events from 29 older adults and 12 younger adults. Events were recalled first on average 6 weeks after they occurred and then again on average 24 weeks after they occurred. We developed a novel scoring protocol to quantify spatial contextual details and used the established Autobiographical Interview to quantify episodic details. We found improved recall of episodic details after a delay if those details had initially been recalled situated in greater spatial context. Notably, for both older and younger adults, this preservation was observed for memories initially recalled with low, but not high, numbers of episodic details, suggesting that spatial context aided episodic retrieval for memories that required more support. This work supports the notion that spatial context scaffolds detail-rich event recollection and inspires memory interventions that leverage this spatial scaffold

Autobiographical memory · Childhood memory · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Episodic memory · Recall · Retrospective memory · Spatial contextual awareness · Computer Science · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · History · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Memory Processes and Influences · Neuroscience · Psychology · Artificial Intelligence

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