[Xmca-l] Re: Memory, aging and culture

[Martin John Packer]

I suspect that 'memory loss' with age also depends on cultural *practices* of memory. I know couples where one person is largely responsible for remembering things for both. In the US, the UK and elsewhere we tend to put old people in institutions where no one knows their history, whereas in cultures where old'uns continue to have a place in the family, their relatives know what they need to recall and can do so for them, or help them do so.

Martin

On Dec 8, 2013, at 12:43 PM, Laure Kloetzer <laure.kloetzer@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Mike,
> 
> I agree the question was quick and fuzzy, sorry. I wonder to what extent
> the extended complaint on memory loss (especially loss of episodic
> memories, related to specific events of one's life) by people who are
> getting old in our current societies is related to cultural factors
> (including social expectations towards a precise memory, esp. relating to
> one's own life events, and anxiety to get old, including fear of Alzheimer
> pathology, for example). We know that the way we sleep, our sleeping
> cycles, are influenced by our culture. I guess our perception of our memory
> performance and accuracy is also influenced by cultural factors, and I
> wonder if some colleagues have been working on these topics. Which cultural
> dimensions worsen or improve the situation regarding memory problems and
> aging ?
> Thanks for your help !
> Best regards,
> LK
> 
> 
> 2013/12/8 mike cole <lchcmike@gmail.com>
> 
>> What does the term, cultural perceptions mean, Laure? The answer to that
>> question would help a lot in answering your questions.
>> mikec
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Sun, Dec 8, 2013 at 12:44 AM, Laure Kloetzer <laure.kloetzer@gmail.com>wrote:
>> 
>>> Hi,
>>> 
>>> I am looking for references on aging, and how memory loss is affected by
>>> cultural perceptions. Would you have some references to point me to ?
>>> Best,
>>> LK
>>> 
>> 
>>