Publication Date

Spring 5-8-2026

Document Type

Senior Integrative Project

Abstract

This study examined cultural differences in Self-Defining Memories (SDMs) and personality traits among American and Russian-American college students. Participants included 39 college students (19 Russian-American and 20 American) aged 18-24 who completed the Self-Defining Memory Task and the Big Five Inventory to test for Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Neuroticism. Memories were coded for overall themes, agency versus communion, and redemption versus contamination narratives. Results showed no significant differences between groups on overall Big Five personality traits. However, there were many differences in the two groups' memories. Russian-American participants reported significantly more positive and fewer negative self-defining memories than American participants. They also demonstrated stronger communal and family-oriented themes and a greater frequency of redemption narratives. In contrast, American participants reported a broader range of conflict-related and negative experiences.

Correlational analyses revealed that memory importance was strongly associated with positivity among Russian-Americans, expected negative relationships between positive and negative emotional ratings were absent. Additionally, Russian-American males showed unexpected negative associations between most personality traits and emotional intensity in memories. These findings suggest that cultural background influences the emotional meaning and thematic organization of autobiographical memories, even when personality traits remain similar across groups. The study highlights the importance of family, emotional regulation, and cultural identity in shaping self-defining memories among Russian-American emerging adults.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.