The role of ToM in creating a reminiscence bump for MEAMs from adolescence
Psychology of Music
Short Title:
Psychology of Music
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Date:
2017/11/03/
Pages:
51 - 68
Sources ID:
39571
Notes:
doi: 10.1177/0305735617735374
Collection:
Theory of Mind
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
To date, studies have yet to consider the role of theory of mind as an important factor in developing music-related autobiographical memories. Further, it remains unclear if one remembers primarily factual knowledge about a song (semantic memory) or if one retrieves the perceptual and emotional aspects of the life situation connected to a song (episodic memory). To close these research gaps, 61 participants with an average age of 20 years listened to 33 songs topping the charts during their early childhood, childhood or youth. Next to a range of control variables (e.g. family size) participants? state emotions before and after the experiment, as well as their socio-affective and socio-cognitive theory of mind were assessed. The music mainly invoked episodic versus semantic memories. The strongest positive predictor of specific episodic music-related autobiographical memories from later youth was participants? socio-cognitive theory of mind. Results also revealed that songs released during early and middle childhood were listened to beyond this time period and triggered mainly memories from early youth. The results are discussed in regard to the possible role of socio-cognitive factors in creating a reminiscence bump for music from later youth.