Introduction
The role of memory in the thoughts that we have about our future cannot be ignored, as memory provides us with a primary platform from which to determine the possibility of future events (Cole, Morrison, Barak, Pauly‐Takacs, & Conway, 2016). In this study, the researcher focuses on the role of memory in determining episodic memory focusing on events that are more likely to occur in future. The researcher intends to engage in this study as a way of determining the role of memory in defining the connection that individuals have between future and past events. The hypothesis for this study revolves around the fact that every individual's past games tend to have a critical role in determining what one believes of the future.
Methodology
The sample selected for this study is 15 participants selected through randomized selection as part of ensuring that the results of the study are reliable and valid. The research method for this particular study is surveying with the research instrument used being a questionnaire. The main idea of using a survey as the primary research method is to help in creating that close link between the information provided by the respondents as part of the study process. The questionnaire contained open-ended questions with the intention of ensuring that the participants can present their responses extensively.
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The participants selected for this study were of between the age of 21 years and 29 years with the mean age being 24.3 years. Regarding the gender of the participants, 6 participants (40%) of the participants were male with 9 participants (60%) being female. The selection of the participants was by their understanding of the role of human memory in ensuring that people have a clear understanding of the past. The researcher provided that each of the participants was able to outline one fundamental role of memory in remembering issues or events in the past.
Results
According to the findings, 12 participants (80%) indicated that their memory of episodic events in the past played a crucial role in determining the thoughts that they have about the future. The researcher was able to find a general link between the fact that the participants tend to use past experiences in determining their future expectations considering that this provides them with that essential platform for connecting to such events. The findings also suggested that the participants focused much of their attention on their understanding of specific events to govern their expectations about specific future events.
Another critical aspect to note from the data collected was that the 14 participants (93.33%) indicated that their episodic memory provides a clear basis from which to determine the occurrence of specific events. When exposed to similar situations or environments, it becomes much easier for individuals to connect their episodes to past events, which, in turn, plays a crucial role in defining their connection towards specific occurrences. In that view, the participants indicated that they believed in the fact that their episodic memory played a crucial role in defining future events.
Discussion
From the findings of the study, as outlined in the results section, the main conclusion from the study is that the role of memory in defining future thoughts is evident, as memory seeks to create that element of connection about specific events. That means that it becomes much easier for participants to use past experiences or events in determining the likelihood of an event in future. From the findings of the study, one key suggestion for future research is that researchers may need to focus on trying to understand how episodic memory limits understanding of future thoughts.
References
Cole, S. N., Morrison, C. M., Barak, O., Pauly‐Takacs, K., & Conway, M. A. (2016). Amnesia and future thinking: Exploring the role of memory in the quantity and quality of episodic future thoughts. British Journal of Clinical Psychology , 55 (2), 206-224.
