Neural, psychological, and social foundations of collective memory: Implications for common mnemonic processes, agency, and identity.

Abstract

Recent advances in memory research within psychology and neuroscience have contributed to a shift from examining memory through an individualistic lens towards a growing recognition of potential social and collective influences on mnemonic processes. This shift is prominently illustrated by continuing research on collective memory. Through a scoping literature review, we identify three crucial components defining collective memory: memories held in common across individuals within a social group, which are centrally important to group identity, and which impact significantly on perceived group agency. This review attempts to distil and organize empirical evidence into (i) neural, (ii) psychological, and (iii) social foundations of collective memory, while considering the reflexive relationship between common memory, identity, and agency (CIA). We conceptualize collective memory as based on neuropsychological substrates, influenced by social processes, and extended to societal, historical, and political domains, driven by human sociality. To engage the complexity of, and shed light on, numerous remaining questions surrounding collective memory, future research should embrace a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach focused on issues of common memory, identity, and identity.