This issue of Memory focuses on silence and its implications for memory, and also for the implications of silences that extend beyond memory, to the functioning of individuals, groups, and societies. Silence can represent things taken for granted, and also things unsayable. The memory implications of silencing are complex. In terms of traditional memory research concerns – with accuracy and completeness – silencing has clearly negative implications. But silencing is also a means by which self and group become aligned in their views of the past. The contributions here make a strong case for memory researchers to consider what is not recalled, as well as what is.

Contents

R. Fivush, Speaking Silence: The Social Construction of Silence in Autobiographical and Cultural Narratives. B. Storm, J. Nestojko, Succsesful Inhibition, Unsuccessful Retrieval: Manipulating Time and Success During Retrieval Practice. H. Gordon, D. Connolly, Failing to Report Details of an Event: A Review of the Directed Forgetting Procedure and Applications to Reports of Childhood Sexual Abuse. L. Sorsoli, "I Remember", "I Thought," "I Know I Didn’t Say": Silence and Memory in Trauma Narratives. N. Alea, The Prevalence and Quality of Silent, Socially Silent, and Disclosed Autobiographical Memories Across Adulthood. M. Pasupathi, T. Hoyt, Silence and the Shaping of Memory: How Distracted Listeners Affect Speakers’ Subsequent Recall of a Computer Game Experience. C. Stone, J. Sutton, A. Barnier, W. Hirst, Building Consensus About the Past: Schema-consistency and Convergence in Socially-shared Retrieval-induced Forgetting. P. Keil, C. Harris, A. Barnier, J. Sutton, How Did You Feel When ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ Died? Voicing and Silencing in Conversation Influences Memory for an Autobiographical Event. J. Baddeley, J. Singer, Private Losses. K.C. McLean, N. Weststrate, The Rise and Fall of Gay: A Cultural-historical Approach to Gay Identity Development. M. Yellow Bird, G. Adams, T. Generosity or Genocide? Identity Implications of Silence in American Thanksgiving Commemorations.

Author Bio

Monisha Pasupathi, University of Utah, USA

Kate C. McLean, Western Washington University, USA