Self-positivity bias in self-referential source memory

본 연구는 출처 점검 과제(source monitoring task)를 사용하여 자기 긍정 편향(self-positivity bias)의 영향으로 인해 출처 기억에서 자기 참조 효과(self-reference effect)의 크기가 기억 내용의 정서가에 따라 달라지는 지 살펴보았다. 참가자들이 자기 참조 및 타인 참조 부호화 조건에서 단어들을 학습한 직후 기억 검사를 받았던 실험 1에서는 긍정 형용사에 비해 부정 형용사에 대한 출처 기억에서 자기 참조 효과가 유의미하게 감소하였으며, 학습과 검사 사이에 24시간의 파지 간격을 둔 실험 2에서는 이러한 양상이 더욱 극대화되어 부정적 단어에 대한 출처 기억에서 자기 참조 효과가 사라지는 것으로 나타났다. 이와 같은 결과는 자기 긍정 편향으로 인해 동일 정서가의 정보일지라도 자신과의 관련성에 따라 그 출처가 기억되는 양상이 달라졌음을 의미한다. 본 연구는 자아를 참조하여 정보를 처리(self-referential processing)하는 것이 늘 더 정확한 기억을 유도하는 것은 아니며, 주로 부정적 측면에서 논의되어 온 기억 편파 및 왜곡이 자기 고양 동기의 실현 및 긍정적 자기 개념의 유지 등을 돕는 순기능적 역할 또한 수행할 수 있음을 밝혔다는 데 그 의의가 있다.

keywords: self-positivity bias, self-reference effect, source memory, source monitoring, memory bias, 자기 긍정 편향, 자기 참조 효과, 출처 기억, 출처 감시, 기억 편향

Abstract

The present study investigated whether the magnitude of self-reference effects would differ for positive versus negative information as a function of self-positivity bias within a source monitoring paradigm. In Experiment 1 where a memory test immediately followed a learning phase, the size of self-reference effects was significantly larger for the positive words compared to negative words. This decrease in the magnitude of self-reference effects for negative words was found to be more pronounced in Experiment 2 where a 24-hour interval was introduced between learning and memory test phases: no self-reference effect for negative words. The present findings suggest that due to the self-positivity bias, the association between a memory and its source become systematically biased toward positivity when a memory is self-relevant as well as toward negativity when a memory is about others. Overall, the current findings provide support for the crucial role of memory in maintaining and enhancing positive self-image and further suggest that memory bias, which has mostly been discussed for its negative consequences, may serve a functionally adaptive role by enhancing individuals' positive self perception and subjective well-being.

keywords: self-positivity bias, self-reference effect, source memory, source monitoring, memory bias, 자기 긍정 편향, 자기 참조 효과, 출처 기억, 출처 감시, 기억 편향

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논문 상세

Vol.24 No.1

자기 참조적 출처 기억에서의 자기 긍정 편향

Self-positivity bias in self-referential source memory

초록

Abstract

참고문헌

한국심리학회지: 사회 및 성격