Research Information System
Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: TED University, Graduate School, Dev. Focused Clin. Child&Adolescent Psy., Turkey
Approval Date: 2021
Thesis Language: English
Student: Tuğçe Koç
Supervisor: Tuğba Uzer Yıldız
Abstract:Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals diagnosed with depression and individuals with depressive symptoms have difficulty in retrieving specific autobiographical memories. Instead, they recall categorical memories, which refers to over-general memory phenomenon (OGM). Furthermore, there is evidence that depression also reduces goal specificity. Few studies have examined the link between memory and goal specificity in the depressed sample. Most of these studies are correlational. The present study is the first experimental study to examine the relationship between memory specificity and goal specificity in a sample with depressive symptoms. 77 late adolescents with depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental conditions (i.e., specific-success, specific-failure, general-success, and general-failure). Participants in specific-success and specific-failure conditions were asked to retrieve success or failure related specific memories, respectively. In contrast, participants in general-success and general-failure conditions were required to retrieve success or failure related categorical memories. After each recall, participants rated some characteristics of their memories (i.e., vividness, date of memory, importance). All participants were also asked to provide approach and avoidance goals. Results have indicated that neither memory specificity nor emotional valence did not influence goal specificity in a sample with depressive symptoms. However, recalling success related or failure related specific memories resulted in setting more specific plans. These results indicate that categorical representation of the past does not influence the specificity of future longer-term goals; but specific memories help to set more specific actions to achieve these goals. These results also imply that disruption in remembering past in a depressive mood reduces one's motivation to take actions to achieve one's goals. Keywords: Autobiographical Memory, Overgeneral Memory, Goal Setting, Plan Setting, Depression, Specificity