Autobiographic Memory in a View of Cultural-Historical and Activity Theory Methodology

Abstract

The article presents foundations and a number of results of realization of complex program of research on autobiographic memory on the basis of non-classical methodology of cultural-historic psychology broadened by activity theory approach. Application of systematic-functional-genetic analysis allowed investigating autobiographic memory in a number of aspects. Autobiographic memory is viewed as a higher psychic function organized by semantic principle which operates personal experience. It provides formation of subjective history of the personal past and feeling oneself as a unique subject in a course of life extensive in time. Autobiographic memory has a multilevel structure of interconnected units. The principles of organization of the units are determined by usage of different systems of socio-cultural means. As a variant of strategy of experimental genetic method the technique «Line of Life» is proposed.