The functions of autobiographical memories related to discrimination and identity undermining experiences and their roles in collective action participation

This study incorporates the topic of social identity related autobiographical memories' functions to the extant literature which, predominantly involves studies conducted within a three-parted classification of self, social and directive functions and mostly operates on the individual level. In this regard, it investigates individual and social group level functions of memories pertaining to discrimination and insults against social identity in social life. Employing semi-structured interviews with a total of 9 Alevite, Kurdish and Armenian participants, Study 1 explored the motives and circumstances inducing functionality of memories targeting ethno-religious identities. Findings from material analyzed via thematic and interpretative phenomenological analyses revealed, on individual and group levels, such memories are evoked to fulfill interactive self, social and directive functions. Furthermore, data demonstrated pertinent family and community stories are functionally conjured up within peculiar memory sharing cultures incorporating family, relatives and friends with various identities. In Study 2, certain memory functions conceptually determined in the previous part were operationalized as a measuring scale and inclusion criteria were extended to other disadvantaged social identities. The resulting data set from 683 participants was subjected to exploratory factor and converging validity analyses. Findings corroborated adequate levels of validity and reliability. Using Process Macro Program, in Study 2, the six memory functions previously designated via exploratory factor analysis were additionally tested as moderators within a model wherein identification, perceived discrimination against the group and collective action participation were the independent, mediating and dependent variables respectively. The model substantiated discrimination memories employed with relatively political aims moderate the effects of perceived discrimination against the group on collective action participation. In conclusion, this endeavor forefront social identity related memories as a significant research subject which can theoretically and empirically interlink various literatures.