If I say “home”, which personal memory comes to your mind? : Individual and cultural differences in autobiographical memory: Episodic vs. overgeneral memories in Italian and Greek samples

Autobiographical memory (AM) is shaped by individual and cultural factors. Recalling general narratives may signal emotional avoidance, whereas retrieving detailed ones may reflect emotional engagement (Wang, 2009). Research shows that Eastern collectivistic cultures recall fewer episodic memories, unlike Western individualistic cultures (Wang & Fivush, 2005). Mediterranean countries like Italy and Greece challenge this dichotomy, blending Western traits with collectivistic values. This study, part of a broader international project, examined AM narratives in 65 Italians and 21 Greeks using cue words, questionnaires, and a cultural orientation task. Positive and negative affective states were linked to more specific memories, but AM sensitivity did not predict memory type. Italians showed a collectivistic orientation. Findings underscore the interplay of individual and cultural factors in AM retrieval.