The characteristics and functions of involuntary autobiographical memory cued by consuming “shikohin”

Abstract

This study investigates the characteristics and functions of involuntary autobiographical memory cued by consuming “shikohin”, such as alcohol, tea, coffee, and tobacco. Four hundred and eight participants were instructed to record the contents of everyday involuntary autobiographical memories that were triggered by consuming shikohin and to describe the effects of those memories on their thinking and behavior within their current situations. Data was collected concerning 382 such involuntary memories. The majority of those memories were vivid, frequently emotional and positive and of importance. Moreover, analysis using the KJ method extracted two functional categories. The first category relates to the orientation of behavior (with subcategories including initiating communication, coping, and behavior modification) while the second relates to the initiation of mental processes (with subcategories including nostalgia, emotion change and linked memories). We discuss how these findings are related the psychological effects of consuming shikohin.