The Beatles show link between positive experiences and how memories are shaped in results of major psychology study
Embargo: 00.01 Monday 8 September 2008
The Beatles show link between positive experiences and how memories are shaped in results of major psychology study
Results are announced today for the Magical Memory Tour, the largest ever international online survey which asked people to blog their memories of the Beatles to create the biggest database of autobiographical memories ever attempted.
The survey aimed to enhance our understanding of human memory by uncovering the role The Beatles and their music play in our personal histories. It was devised by psychologists Professor Martin Conway and Dr Catriona Morrison from the Institute of Psychological Sciences at the University of Leeds, who will be discussing their findings as part of the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool.
The six month online survey, launched by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) during National Science and Engineering Week in March, generated some 3000 responses from people ranging from 17 to 87 years old and spanning 69 different nationalities. People were invited to blog the most vivid memory that came to mind relating to a Beatles album, song, news story or band member. The majority of respondents were ‘silver surfers’, between the ages of 55 to 65, who would have been teenagers during the Beatles heydays in the 1960s.
As expected, the majority of memories related to the teenage years of people’s lives, showing a classic reminiscence bump. The difference here is that the bump occurs slightly earlier in the lifespan than for autobiographical memories more generally, suggesting that music, or at least The Beatles’ music, is important in the storage of particularly early memories.
The song that emerged overall as generating the most memories was ‘She Loves You’. This is perhaps not surprising as this was the biggest selling single of the 60s and the Beatles most popular record ever.
With the exception of the murder of John Lennon, memories submitted were overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating that memory and emotion are linked. It seems that positive emotions are the ones primarily associated with shaping memory.
There were some differences between nationalities: English people related most memories to the song ‘She Loves You’, whilst for Americans it was ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’; English people reported most film-associated memories to ‘Help’, while Australians reported most to ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. But what is more interesting than these relatively minor differences between nationalities is the similarities in terms of the moods, feelings, scenes and situations they relay. They show the influence The Beatles had as global cultural icons.
Dr Morrison says: ‘We are so impressed with how vividly people could recall memories sometimes from more than 40 years ago, especially when many eloquent and vivid memories appear to have been little recalled in decades. This shows the power of music in shaping and reliving sometimes long-neglected memories. We were very keen to examine the levels of emotionality in the uploaded memories. We had anticipated that women might have more emotional memories but this has not been substantiated by the data. This again emphasises the universality of The Beatles as a force in people’s lives.’
Sue Hordijenko, Festival Director at the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) said: ‘We feel privileged to have had input from so many people around the world to this unique database. It will be kept open for people to add to. The memories will eventually be published, so that we have an enduring record of the importance of The Beatles in shaping memories of the 20th Century, which is a fantastic legacy for Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.’
The BA Festival of Science will take place in Liverpool from 6-11 September bringing over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. In addition to talks and debates at the University of Liverpool, there will be a host of events happening throughout the city as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations.
To read memories from the survey visit www.magicalmemorytour.com and for more information about the BA Festival of Science, including an online programme, visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience.
This year’s BA Festival of Science is organised by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) in partnership with the University of Liverpool. It is supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, the Liverpool Culture Company and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
Magical Memory Tour is specifically supported by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC).
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net
Jessica Griggs, Press Assistant, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4950
Email: Jessica.griggs@the-ba.net
Notes for editors
1. To register for access to the press papers or to the Press Centre at the BA Festival of Science, visit www.the-ba.net/pressregister.
2. Professor Martin Conway is an internationally recognised cognitive psychologist. His current research interests focus on autobiographical memory; impairments of memory following brain injury; disruptions of memory in psychiatric illness; changes in memory across the lifespan; the self and memory; motivation and memory; emotion and memory; expert legal testimony on memory. Professor Conway has been a key figure in identifying and developing the concept of autobiographical memory, and his previous projects on this topic include the 2007 BBC “You and Your Memory” series. He will also feature on a forthcoming Horizon programme on childhood memory (25/03/08). Professor Conway is currently Chair of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Research Board.
Dr Catriona Morrison is an experimental psychologist whose research interests include the psychology of language, cognitive ageing, and autobiographical memory. Dr Morrison’s work has been influential in advancing understanding of the way in which early developmental experience exerts a widespread, lifelong effect on many aspects of psychological processing and she has a track record of publications in high-quality, international journals. Dr Morrison is currently Honorary Chair of the Cognitive Section of the BPS.
Dr Morrison and Professor Conway are members of the Leeds Memory Group, at the Institute of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds – a dynamic group of researchers engaged in projects ranging from the nature of consciousness to the effects of dementia on the ageing brain. Current projects within this group include a study into the importance of keeping the mind active in older adulthood as a means of preserving healthy functioning; a project on the effects of cognitive strategies in enhancing learning amongst university students; and a study of the role of language in the development of memory in early childhood.
3. The Dana Alliance comprises the European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB) www.dana.org/edab and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (DABI) www.dana.org in the Americas. The Dana Alliance is an organisation of more than 450 eminent neuroscientists, including 15 Nobel laureates from 29 countries who are committed to advancing public awareness about the importance of brain research. Brain Awareness Week (BAW), 10-16 March, is an international campaign to raise public awareness of brain research. It is coordinated by EDAB and DABI. Every year, more than 2,100 schools, universities, charities and organisations in 75 countries participate in the campaign. Please visit http://edab.dana.org/baw/index_en.cfm to find out more about BAW.
4. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues. It ESRC's Festival of Social Science runs from the 7th to the 16th March 2008 alongside National Science and Engineering Week. It celebrates some of the very best British social science research, as well as highlighting the ways in which social science makes a difference to everyday lives.
5. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The BA also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit www.the-ba.net.
6. The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive institutions in the UK. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £108 million annually. For more information visit www.liv.ac.uk.
7. The Liverpool Culture Company was established by Liverpool City Council in 2000 to lead the city’s bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008. In June 2003, following a two-year nationwide competition featuring 12 cities, Liverpool was chosen as the UK’s representative for 2008. The programme for 2008 includes more than 350 events and festivals – many of which are free – delivered in collaboration with major cultural institutions, artists, performers and venues throughout Liverpool and beyond. For more information visit www.liverpool08.com.
8. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: supporting business growth and encouraging investment; matching skills provision to employer needs; creating the conditions for economic growth; connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; and promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life. For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk.
9. The Northwest Science Strategy 2007 – 2010, developed by the Northwest Science Council, which brings together businesses, universities and other science partners in the region, aims to have the greatest impact over the medium term (4-5 years). It will help to shape the growth of existing companies and the formation of new ones, and help to meet the science and technology needs of regional businesses through co-ordinated efforts across the science base. The strategy focuses on three underpinning ‘foundations’ (SKILLS; EXPLOITATION OF SCIENCE; and INTERNATIONALLY EXCELLENT SCIENCE BASE) and six strategic ‘pillars’ (AEROSPACE; BIOHEALTH; CHEMICALS; NUCLEAR; EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES; AND STRATEGIC SCIENCE SITES). The foundations of our Science Strategy are the building blocks for the generation and application of new scientific insights. They help to create the climate in which globally competitive, sustainable and successful businesses can emerge and prosper. www.northwestscience.co.uk.
10. The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK with more than 30,000 students from 130 countries. With a total annual income of almost £450m, Leeds is one of the top ten research universities in the UK, and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. It was placed 80th in the 2007 Times Higher Education's world universities league table. The University's vision is to secure a place among the world's top 50 by 2015. www.leeds.ac.uk
The Beatles show link between positive experiences and how memories are shaped in results of major psychology study
Results are announced today for the Magical Memory Tour, the largest ever international online survey which asked people to blog their memories of the Beatles to create the biggest database of autobiographical memories ever attempted.
The survey aimed to enhance our understanding of human memory by uncovering the role The Beatles and their music play in our personal histories. It was devised by psychologists Professor Martin Conway and Dr Catriona Morrison from the Institute of Psychological Sciences at the University of Leeds, who will be discussing their findings as part of the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool.
The six month online survey, launched by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) during National Science and Engineering Week in March, generated some 3000 responses from people ranging from 17 to 87 years old and spanning 69 different nationalities. People were invited to blog the most vivid memory that came to mind relating to a Beatles album, song, news story or band member. The majority of respondents were ‘silver surfers’, between the ages of 55 to 65, who would have been teenagers during the Beatles heydays in the 1960s.
As expected, the majority of memories related to the teenage years of people’s lives, showing a classic reminiscence bump. The difference here is that the bump occurs slightly earlier in the lifespan than for autobiographical memories more generally, suggesting that music, or at least The Beatles’ music, is important in the storage of particularly early memories.
The song that emerged overall as generating the most memories was ‘She Loves You’. This is perhaps not surprising as this was the biggest selling single of the 60s and the Beatles most popular record ever.
With the exception of the murder of John Lennon, memories submitted were overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating that memory and emotion are linked. It seems that positive emotions are the ones primarily associated with shaping memory.
There were some differences between nationalities: English people related most memories to the song ‘She Loves You’, whilst for Americans it was ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’; English people reported most film-associated memories to ‘Help’, while Australians reported most to ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. But what is more interesting than these relatively minor differences between nationalities is the similarities in terms of the moods, feelings, scenes and situations they relay. They show the influence The Beatles had as global cultural icons.
Dr Morrison says: ‘We are so impressed with how vividly people could recall memories sometimes from more than 40 years ago, especially when many eloquent and vivid memories appear to have been little recalled in decades. This shows the power of music in shaping and reliving sometimes long-neglected memories. We were very keen to examine the levels of emotionality in the uploaded memories. We had anticipated that women might have more emotional memories but this has not been substantiated by the data. This again emphasises the universality of The Beatles as a force in people’s lives.’
Sue Hordijenko, Festival Director at the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) said: ‘We feel privileged to have had input from so many people around the world to this unique database. It will be kept open for people to add to. The memories will eventually be published, so that we have an enduring record of the importance of The Beatles in shaping memories of the 20th Century, which is a fantastic legacy for Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.’
The BA Festival of Science will take place in Liverpool from 6-11 September bringing over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. In addition to talks and debates at the University of Liverpool, there will be a host of events happening throughout the city as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations.
To read memories from the survey visit www.magicalmemorytour.com and for more information about the BA Festival of Science, including an online programme, visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience.
This year’s BA Festival of Science is organised by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) in partnership with the University of Liverpool. It is supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, the Liverpool Culture Company and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
Magical Memory Tour is specifically supported by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC).
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net
Jessica Griggs, Press Assistant, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4950
Email: Jessica.griggs@the-ba.net
Notes for editors
1. To register for access to the press papers or to the Press Centre at the BA Festival of Science, visit www.the-ba.net/pressregister.
2. Professor Martin Conway is an internationally recognised cognitive psychologist. His current research interests focus on autobiographical memory; impairments of memory following brain injury; disruptions of memory in psychiatric illness; changes in memory across the lifespan; the self and memory; motivation and memory; emotion and memory; expert legal testimony on memory. Professor Conway has been a key figure in identifying and developing the concept of autobiographical memory, and his previous projects on this topic include the 2007 BBC “You and Your Memory” series. He will also feature on a forthcoming Horizon programme on childhood memory (25/03/08). Professor Conway is currently Chair of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Research Board.
Dr Catriona Morrison is an experimental psychologist whose research interests include the psychology of language, cognitive ageing, and autobiographical memory. Dr Morrison’s work has been influential in advancing understanding of the way in which early developmental experience exerts a widespread, lifelong effect on many aspects of psychological processing and she has a track record of publications in high-quality, international journals. Dr Morrison is currently Honorary Chair of the Cognitive Section of the BPS.
Dr Morrison and Professor Conway are members of the Leeds Memory Group, at the Institute of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds – a dynamic group of researchers engaged in projects ranging from the nature of consciousness to the effects of dementia on the ageing brain. Current projects within this group include a study into the importance of keeping the mind active in older adulthood as a means of preserving healthy functioning; a project on the effects of cognitive strategies in enhancing learning amongst university students; and a study of the role of language in the development of memory in early childhood.
3. The Dana Alliance comprises the European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB) www.dana.org/edab and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (DABI) www.dana.org in the Americas. The Dana Alliance is an organisation of more than 450 eminent neuroscientists, including 15 Nobel laureates from 29 countries who are committed to advancing public awareness about the importance of brain research. Brain Awareness Week (BAW), 10-16 March, is an international campaign to raise public awareness of brain research. It is coordinated by EDAB and DABI. Every year, more than 2,100 schools, universities, charities and organisations in 75 countries participate in the campaign. Please visit http://edab.dana.org/baw/index_en.cfm to find out more about BAW.
4. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues. It ESRC's Festival of Social Science runs from the 7th to the 16th March 2008 alongside National Science and Engineering Week. It celebrates some of the very best British social science research, as well as highlighting the ways in which social science makes a difference to everyday lives.
5. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The BA also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit www.the-ba.net.
6. The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive institutions in the UK. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £108 million annually. For more information visit www.liv.ac.uk.
7. The Liverpool Culture Company was established by Liverpool City Council in 2000 to lead the city’s bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008. In June 2003, following a two-year nationwide competition featuring 12 cities, Liverpool was chosen as the UK’s representative for 2008. The programme for 2008 includes more than 350 events and festivals – many of which are free – delivered in collaboration with major cultural institutions, artists, performers and venues throughout Liverpool and beyond. For more information visit www.liverpool08.com.
8. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: supporting business growth and encouraging investment; matching skills provision to employer needs; creating the conditions for economic growth; connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; and promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life. For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk.
9. The Northwest Science Strategy 2007 – 2010, developed by the Northwest Science Council, which brings together businesses, universities and other science partners in the region, aims to have the greatest impact over the medium term (4-5 years). It will help to shape the growth of existing companies and the formation of new ones, and help to meet the science and technology needs of regional businesses through co-ordinated efforts across the science base. The strategy focuses on three underpinning ‘foundations’ (SKILLS; EXPLOITATION OF SCIENCE; and INTERNATIONALLY EXCELLENT SCIENCE BASE) and six strategic ‘pillars’ (AEROSPACE; BIOHEALTH; CHEMICALS; NUCLEAR; EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES; AND STRATEGIC SCIENCE SITES). The foundations of our Science Strategy are the building blocks for the generation and application of new scientific insights. They help to create the climate in which globally competitive, sustainable and successful businesses can emerge and prosper. www.northwestscience.co.uk.
10. The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK with more than 30,000 students from 130 countries. With a total annual income of almost £450m, Leeds is one of the top ten research universities in the UK, and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. It was placed 80th in the 2007 Times Higher Education's world universities league table. The University's vision is to secure a place among the world's top 50 by 2015. www.leeds.ac.uk
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