Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
J Pers Soc Psychol. 2013 Jan;104(1):164-79. doi: 10.1037/a0030384. Epub 2012 Oct 22.
We argue that episodic memories have an active and directive function with respect to a number of relational outcomes. In line with self-determination theory, it is expected that the satisfaction of 3 needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) in couple-related memories facilitates the quality of romantic relationships and their development. Results of 4 studies support this contention. Study 1 showed that need satisfaction in couple-related memories was associated with relationship quality, even after controlling for other important relational constructs. Study 2 underscored the context-dependent aspect of the directive function of episodic memories. Need satisfaction in couple-related memories was found to be associated with partner relationship quality but not with friendship quality, whereas need satisfaction in friend-related memories was associated with friendship quality but not with partner relationship quality. Study 3 showed that couple-related memories contributed independently to each partner's perceptions of relationship quality, that is, both the rememberer and the partner. Study 4 showed the long-term directive function of episodic memories. Need satisfaction in couple-related memories positively and negatively predicted increases in relationship quality and the likelihood of a breakup over a 1-year period, respectively. This directive function of memories was examined along with the self function of memories (self-enhancement, self-protection) and shown to be complementary. We also examined the stability of need satisfaction in couple-related memories over time and investigated this stability as a function of whether the partners had broken up or not over the year. Overall, the findings suggest that episodic memories play an important role in romantic relationships.
我们认为，情节记忆对于许多关系结果具有积极的指导作用。与自我决定理论一致，人们期望在夫妻相关记忆中满足 3 种需求（自主性、能力和关联性）能够促进浪漫关系的质量和发展。4 项研究的结果支持了这一观点。研究 1 表明，夫妻相关记忆中的需求满足与关系质量有关，即使在控制了其他重要的关系结构之后也是如此。研究 2 强调了情节记忆指导作用的情境依赖性。夫妻相关记忆中的需求满足与伴侣关系质量有关，但与友谊质量无关，而朋友相关记忆中的需求满足与友谊质量有关，但与伴侣关系质量无关。研究 3 表明，夫妻相关记忆独立地影响了每个伴侣对关系质量的看法，即记忆者和伴侣。研究 4 显示了情节记忆的长期指导作用。夫妻相关记忆中的需求满足分别积极和消极地预测了关系质量在一年内的增加和分手的可能性。记忆的指导作用与记忆的自我功能（自我增强、自我保护）一起被考察，并被证明是互补的。我们还考察了夫妻相关记忆中的需求满足随时间的稳定性，并研究了这种稳定性是否取决于夫妻在一年内是否分手。总的来说，这些发现表明，情节记忆在浪漫关系中起着重要作用。
