The Effect of Immigration on the Contents and Organization of Autobiographical Memory: A Transition-Theory Perspective

Abstract

This study examined how immigration affects the organization and contents of autobiographical memory. The 40 middle-aged individuals who participated in this study were at least in their 30s when relocating from China to Canada. The participants retrieved personal memories in response to neutral cue words, thought aloud as they dated the retrieved memories, assessed the phenomenal properties of retrieved memories, and finally rated the transitional impacts of their relocation to Canada. We observed a robust Living-through-Immigration effect (i.e. frequent reference to relocation in event dating) and a large Immigration Bump. We also confirmed that relocation to Canada was perceived to be a major life transition. Regardless of when they occurred, the recalled events received roughly same mid-scale ratings on importance, self-relevance, distinctiveness and emotional intensity. The findings support the transition-theory prediction that important personal transitions should affect autobiographical memory in much the same way that important collective transitions do.