Chasing Life How Storytelling Shapes the Way You Remember the Holidays
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Dec 19, 2025 Dr. Signe Sheldon, an associate professor of psychology at McGill University, dives into the fascinating world of memory and storytelling. She reveals why siblings often have differing recollections of the same event due to the flexible nature of memory. The conversation explores how perceptual and conceptual rememberers differ in storytelling styles and brain function. Signe also shares tips for meaningful holiday storytelling, emphasizing that retelling can reshape memories and the importance of framing expectations during the holidays.
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Childhood Memory That Sparked Research
- Signe Sheldon recalls biking with her brother and falling off her bike while someone from a limo helped her up.
- Her brother had no memory of the event, which sparked her lifelong interest in memory differences.
Memory As Active Reconstruction
- Memories are flexible dynamic recreations rather than static files you pull up unchanged.
- The hippocampus rebuilds memories by assembling distributed details each time you recall an event.
Three Functions Of Memory
- Memory serves directive, self-continuity, and social-connection functions.
- Different remembering styles (detailed vs. meaning-focused) support these distinct goals.