What is it about?
Our study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced how we remember the past and imagine the future, both for ourselves and for our nation. People focused more on negative personal experiences and pessimistic national forecasts, which changed over the course of the pandemic. This research sheds light on how major crises like COVID-19 reshape our memories and future expectations, offering insights into our sense of control and agency during turbulent times.
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Why is it important?
What makes this work unique and timely is its focus on the intersection of personal and collective experiences during a global crisis. It captures the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on both individual and collective levels, offering a timely exploration into how such global crises influence our memory and future thinking. By examining changes in perceived personal and national agency, this work highlights the dynamic interaction between individual experiences and broader societal events during the pandemic. This perspective is crucial for understanding how people adapt to global disruptions and can inform strategies to bolster resilience and mental well-being in the face of future crises.
Perspectives
As a researcher deeply interested in understanding the intersection between individual and collective experiences, I truly enjoyed the research and writing process of this article. The pandemic was a unique period when we retreated to our isolated individual spaces while simultaneously being greatly influenced by events at the national level. It was fascinating to explore how the characteristics of our memories and future thoughts shifted during this unprecedented time. Even more intriguing were the changes in our perceptions of control and agency. I love how this research underscores the profound interconnectedness between our personal lives and broader societal events, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the human mind.
Meymune Topcu
Mef Universitesi
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: When the personal and the collective intersects: Memory, future thinking, and perceived agency during the COVID-19 pandemic., Journal of Experimental Psychology General, July 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/xge0001624.
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