The Self and Memory

"It is remarkable that past theories about the empirical study of the self have ignored the fact that the self has a history. This history, which we now call autobiographical memory (memory of the events and facts of our lives), grounds the self in a rembered reality and forms the content of identity. In this important and significant collection, Beike and her colleagues bring together definitive statements by leading autobiographical memory researchers that explore many aspects of the relations between memory and the self. This highly valuable collection makes a powerful case for the intimate relation between our knowledge of our lives and the nature of selves. It will endure as the major reference in this area for many years to come and will help define one of the next great research projects for memory research: the role of memory in enabling the self." -- Martin A. Conway, University of Leeds

"The phenomenion of memory respects no displinary boundaries because rembering is equally significant in personal, social, political, creative, and scientific contexts. Cognitive psychology is, right, at the heart of the sudy of human memory. However, the best psychologist increasingly recognize that their methods and results must be brought into contract with broader inquiries. This impressive volume on self and memory not only successdully integrates developmental, social, and cognitive perspectives, but also incorporates relevant work in personality psychology and the philosophy of personal identity. These substanial essays will be essential reading for anyone interested in emotion, narrative, and time in autobiographical memory." -- John Sutton, Macquarie University