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Cameron Overbey

Professor Hampel

ENGL1001

March 21, 2017

Rhetorical Analysis

My Memory, Myself: The Role of Culture in Memory and Self Identity, by Clare Ulrich,

Human Ecology Jun, 2004 research article. This article trying to prove, The researcher Qui Wang

an assistant professor of human development. Trying to break new ground at the interface of

social and cognitive development by determining the way they retrieve information when kids

are younger also how their brains develop self-identity and awareness (2). Ill be reviewing the

different methods and which were effective to the kids and how they were effected in the living

conditions the kids were brought up in.

In the article The Role of Culture in Memory and Self Identity studies were taken to

prove that the diverse paths that were taken while growing up affected how they remember

things. Qui Wang the assistant professor used Chinese families and European American families

to the study and research on. This draws conclusions on how the memory shapes, and is shaped

by, concepts of the self in the context of their culture by autobiographical memory (3). Wangs

interest has been to find the different cultural norms and find out the autobiographical memory.

The method she went about was interviewing four to eight-year olds and asking them about their

last birthday or asking when was the last time they were scolded and how was it showing the

differences in culture. In the response to the kids were very different the American kids tended to

know further back and focus more on themselves. The roles they played, their actions, opinions,
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were all different and based on what they did and did not like as a person or how they were

raised (3).

Okay youre asking yourselves why? Why do a study on autobiographical memory,

children to see what they remember its straight forward and confirmed that children dont have a

fully developed brain until they are much older? The article is showing you that in todays

society it is good to be cognitive of others that you are around this will help you be a better

person and human being knowing the struggle how they grew up versus you. The American

children were much more excited and happy they were more positive about their self attributes.

The Chinese children tended to be more neutral about themselves no bragging and talked about

groups things not necessarily about only them. Which was what the questions were for. And for

Qui Wangs work it was complemented by two Harvard professors who were also into the same

cultural differences research (4).

This research shows the different struggles between autobiographical memory to cultures

such as the high energy of an American. the dullness not so positive about the Chinese students

they have never been sought out to be the energetic type this brings sorrow to those who live in a

ponderous life style and dont treat others how they would want to be treated. Discrimination is a

big part that is played in this role because there are two different races and people tend to judge a

person so Wang set out not to grab too much attention on the subject and do a low-profile

investigation on the cultural deferences without coming off wrong when asking the questions in

the interview. This really hits today as the rural and rich tend to be living a happy life and the

middle and low class people get hated on for just trying in life but get the worst end of the stick

because of their cultural background. Even when asked to the mothers of the kids they responded

with different answered and invited their kid to remember anything that they talked about
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because they were reminded of the situation. There are certain goals depicted by

autobiographical memory the European children and mothers than Chinese Wang thinks, the way

Chinese perceive themselves as to being a larger group there is a much more social deference.

And American kids tend to have life a lot easier and more so focused on themselves than others

and set high goals to do and if they do they are rewarded. Its expected by the Chinese cultural to

succeed and do good in life. Very sad to the the difference I the two how it affects everyone by

just seeing it happen.

Qui Wang was successfully able to make this research and help others with theirs and by

doing this research she was recognized and acknowledged by others influenced others to learn

more about autobiographical memory (5). Through the research of Wang hopes to avoid and call

attention to the error of, drawing reductionist universal conclusions about human development

that result in stereotypes and often promote discrimination.

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Work cited

Clare, Ulrich. "My Memory, Myself: The Role of Culture in Memory and Self Identity, by Clare

Ulrich ." Canopy.uc.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. Jun. 2004