The Act of Remembering: Toward an Understanding of How We Recall the Past

Remembering is arguably the most important aspect of memory. However, after more than 100 years of memory research, it remains far from fully understood. Furthermore, elements of the process of retrieval--such as the difference between voluntary and involuntary recall--remain a mystery.

This volume expands the understanding of autobiographical remembering and draws attention to hitherto neglected areas of research. It offers a number of theoretical views, tackling key questions such as functionality, the problem of volition, and the larger role of consciousness. It covers the methodology used to study retrieval, pointing out advances, limitations, and future challenges in the field. Contributors discuss topics such as retrieval inhibition, the role of repetition in future recall, and intrusive memories in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

The Act of Remembering is the first volume devoted solely to autobiographical memory retrieval, and brings together contributions from leading researchers from around the world. It serves as a primer for the field, as well as a roadmap that will guide present and future researchers  as they continue to solve the problem of remembering.