Crafting the TALE: construction of a measure to assess the functions of autobiographical remembering

Memory. 2011 Jul;19(5):470-86. doi: 10.1080/09658211.2011.590500.

Abstract

Theory suggests that autobiographical remembering serves several functions. This research builds on previous empirical efforts (Bluck, Alea, Habermas, & Rubin, 2005) with the aim of constructing a brief, valid measure of three functions of autobiographical memory. Participants (N=306) completed 28 theoretically derived items concerning the frequency with which they use autobiographical memory to serve a variety of functions. To examine convergent and discriminant validity, participants rated their tendency to think about and talk about the past, and measures of future time orientation, self-concept clarity, and trait personality. Confirmatory factor analysis of the function items resulted in a respecified model with 15 items in three factors. The newly developed Thinking about Life Experiences scale (TALE) shows good internal consistency as well as convergent validity for three subscales: Self-Continuity, Social-Bonding, and Directing-Behaviour. Analyses demonstrate factorial equivalence across age and gender groups. Potential use and limitations of the TALE are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Male
  • Memory, Episodic*
  • Models, Psychological
  • Object Attachment
  • Psychological Tests / statistics & numerical data*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self-Assessment*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires