Conversational Remembering About Personal Lived Experiences: Shared Reality and Autobiographical Reflection

Interpersonal communication often involves conversational remembering in which an individual describes their autobiographical experiences to a conversation partner. In two studies, we aimed to examine the role of conversational remembering on autobiographical reflection under experimentally-rigorous and ecologically-valid conditions. This registered report examined how the experience of a shared reality with a communication audience affects: (a) how rememberers attached the recalled event to their self-concept, (b) how connected rememberers felt with their communication audience, and (c) the role of the recalled event when projecting future experiences. Study 1 used an experimental design that manipulated both shared reality and event valence to examine effects on communicators’ perceptions of self, social, and future outcomes. Study 2 used a daily diary design to examine experiences related to conversational remembering in everyday life. Findings indicate that shared reality is a critical component of the communication process enhancing self, social, and directive memory outcomes, regardless of event valence. This work builds upon previous research to more fully understand the role of communication processes on autobiographical consciousness and the meaning individuals derive from their remembered life experiences.