Narrative Structure in Recounted Sad Memories

This study examines variation in the narrative structure of recounted sad memories from defensive (sometimes called avoidant or repressive) and nondefensive participants. Defensiveness was operationally defined by high scores on the Marlowe- Crowne (MC) Social Desirability Scale (Crowne & Marlowe, 1960). In a laboratory interview, participants were asked to discuss past depressive episodes. Transcribed interviews were analyzed for narrative structure, using a method adopted from Labov and Waletzky (1967). Most nondefensive (low MC) participants responded with a narration, defined as at least 3 propositions uttered in the same order as the past events they represent. In contrast, most defensive (high MC) participants described a sad memory without narrating. Overall, the nonnarrative responses were briefer than the narrations and were rated as less vivid, even after controlling for length. Avoiding narration is hypothesized as an automatic self-protective cognitive maneuver by which individuals can comply with a task demand to "tell about" an unpleasant memory without "reliving" it.