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Interpersonal communication often involves conversational remembering in which an individual describes their autobiographical experiences to a conversation partner. In the proposed studies, we aim to examine the role of conversational remembering on autobiographical reflection under experimentally rigorous and ecologically valid conditions. The proposed project examines how the experience of a shared reality with a communication audience affects: (a) how rememberers attach the recalled event to their self-concept, (b) how connected rememberers feel with their communication audience, and (c) the role of the recalled event when projecting future experiences. Study 1 will use an experimental design that manipulates both shared reality and event valence to examine effects on communicators’ perceptions of self, social, and future outcomes. Study 2 will use a daily diary design to examine experiences related to conversational remembering in everyday life. This work builds on previous research to more fully understand the role of communication processes on autobiographical consciousness and the meaning individuals derive from their remembered life experiences.
Costabile et al. (2024) studied this question.