The relation between visual impairment and the earliest autobiographical memories in young adults

Abstract

Autobiographical memory is a memory system that consists of personal experiences and personal information about an individual's life. Therefore, it performs the function of self-representation and is directly related to self-understanding. The purpose of this study is to address the effects of a condition that affects identity: blindness. Blindness, as a chronic disease, integrates with the self and can affect different aspects of memories. For example, blindness is associated with reduced visual imagery, one of the main components of autobiographical memory. Therefore, this study focuses on the relationship between visual impairment in adults and features of autobiographical memories. This study investigates the onset of childhood amnesia and the phenomenological features of these autobiographical memories. In this context, the participants were asked about their earliest childhood memories. In addition, the participants were asked about their most important memories and used as a control event. On the other hand, the formation of the cognitive self was found to be associated with two achievements: self-recognition in the mirror and the use of personal pronouns. Visual impairment limits or blocks visual input and modulates language development. Due to this low/lack of experience, so participants' visual or verbal style of processing dominance was measured. When we consider these three interrelated concepts (blindness, self, and autobiographical memory) together, it can be argued that low visual experience affects memories through deferred personal development.