Field and observer modes of remembering

TLDR

Research on memory has identified two modes—field and observer perspectives—whose use depends on factors such as vividness and personal agency, and whose differences extend beyond imagery to the information that enters awareness. The study aimed to determine whether changing from a field to an observer perspective alters the affective experience during recall. Researchers sampled memories from multiple life periods, assessed participants’ ability to switch perspectives, and measured affective responses when shifting from field to observer mode. Results showed that perspective shifts are easier for recent or vivid memories, that moving from field to observer perspective reduces affective intensity while the reverse shift has no effect, and that these findings support the view that remembering involves more than simple retrieval.

Abstract

Nigro and Neisser (1983) contrasted two ways of remembering personal experiences: the rememberer may 'see' the event from his or her perspective as in normal perception, or 'see' the self engaged in the event as an observer would. Several factors contribute to the determination of perspective, but Nigro and Neisser also reported that many subjects claimed they could change to another perspective at will. We sampled personal memories from several life periods and assessed ability to change the initially reported perspective. Changing was easier for recent or vividly recalled events, harder for older and less vividly recalled events. Memory perspectives may differ in other aspects than their imagery. A second study was conducted to determine whether affective experience is altered when perspectives are changed. The affect experienced decreased when shifting from a field to an observer perspective, but did not change with the converse shift. These studies provide further evidence that remembering is more than retrieval. The information that enters awareness is determined by the information sources in memory and the organisational scheme adopted for recollection.