title: The coherence of traumatic and non-traumatic memories: A tale of equivalence

authors: Taylor, Andrea

subjects: Memory

abstract: There is contention in the scientific literature about the mechanisms by which our memories for traumatic events operate. In one view, the extremely negative nature of traumatic events results in incomplete encoding, leaving memories for these events incoherent. In this view, incoherence promotes distress and therefore must be targeted over the course of treatment to enable recovery. In another view, traumatic memories operate using the same basic set of mechanisms as memories for non-traumatic events; traumatic memories are not uniquely incoherent, and evidence does not support the idea that treatment boosts coherence in a way that supports recovery. But across the literature, several counter-explanations hinder our interpretation of the existing findings. Over five experiments, we addressed these counter-explanations. We found little evidence to suggest people’s memories for traumatic events were incoherent, both in absolute terms and in relation to memories for non-traumatic events. Across our experiments, coherence did not vary in a systematic way depending on whether a memory was traumatic or non- traumatic. Moreover, we found evidence to suggest the way people recalled a memory affected their sense of how coherent that memory was. We also found that repeatedly recalling a memory, as happens in some therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), did not boost coherence. Instead, the data suggest repeated recall prevented a sense of lost coherence seen in memories not repeatedly recalled. Furthermore, we consistently found that memory coherence was not related to the degree of posttraumatic stress a person reported about that event. Mini meta-analyses on the data gathered across these five experiments, and their associated pilot studies, converged on the conclusions that a) traumatic memories are just as coherent as their non-traumatic counterparts, and b) there is no relation between coherence and symptomatology. Considered together, these findings are consistent with a basic mechanisms account of traumatic memories, and have implications for our conceptualisation of PTSD and the therapies designed to treat it.

text: The coherence of traumatic and non-traumatic memories: A tale of equivalence There is contention in the scientific literature about the mechanisms by which our memories for traumatic events operate. In one view, the extremely negative nature of traumatic events results in incomplete encoding, leaving memories for these events incoherent. In this view, incoherence promotes distress and therefore must be targeted over the course of treatment to enable recovery. In another view, traumatic memories operate using the same basic set of mechanisms as memories for non-traumatic events; traumatic memories are not uniquely incoherent, and evidence does not support the idea that treatment boosts coherence in a way that supports recovery. But across the literature, several counter-explanations hinder our interpretation of the existing findings. Over five experiments, we addressed these counter-explanations. We found little evidence to suggest people’s memories for traumatic events were incoherent, both in absolute terms and in relation to memories for non-traumatic events. Across our experiments, coherence did not vary in a systematic way depending on whether a memory was traumatic or non- traumatic. Moreover, we found evidence to suggest the way people recalled a memory affected their sense of how coherent that memory was. We also found that repeatedly recalling a memory, as happens in some therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), did not boost coherence. Instead, the data suggest repeated recall prevented a sense of lost coherence seen in memories not repeatedly recalled. Furthermore, we consistently found that memory coherence was not related to the degree of posttraumatic stress a person reported about that event. Mini meta-analyses on the data gathered across these five experiments, and their associated pilot studies, converged on the conclusions that a) traumatic memories are just as coherent as their non-traumatic counterparts, and b) there is no relation between coherence and symptomatology. Considered together, these findings are consistent with a basic mechanisms account of traumatic memories, and have implications for our conceptualisation of PTSD and the therapies designed to treat it.

year: 2023

title: The Effects of the Web as a Form of Stakeholder Communication: An empirical case study of a co-operative

authors: Zhao, Jennifer Yanan

subjects: Web

abstract: This research aims to add some understanding to the existing stakeholder management literature with a focus on the management of stakeholder communication. It explores how the Web can assist the management of the communication between a dairy co-operative and its farmer supplier-shareholders. An exploratory case study and semi-structured in-depth interview research design is used to collect, analyse, and present the perceptions of interview participants. 

This research highlights a paradox, which results from the inconsistent needs of the farmers as both suppliers and shareholders of the co-operative. A number of factors that have influenced farmer interviewees' decisions to either reject or embrace the Web are also identified. These factors are divided into two categories, those closely associated with individual characteristics, namely, perceived values, perceived self-efficacy, and awareness; and these outside the individual's control, namely, infrastructure and media conflict. 

These findings suggest that the Web adds flexibility to organisations' stakeholder communication strategies by offering an additional communication form. In particular, this research shows that the Web contributes to overall management of stakeholder communication through 1) increased accessibility to personalised and up-to-date information, 2) added flexibility to self-service programs, and 3) a recreated sense of 'conventional' community. 

Furthermore, the Web should be used as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, conventional communication forms in stakeholder communication strategies. Although the Web may not be the answer for all stakeholder communication challenges; what seems undeniable is the tremendous potential of the Web in facilitating and leveraging the management of stakeholder communication. Three considerations are proposed for organisations planning to include the Web as part of their stakeholder communication strategy: organisational needs, stakeholder characteristics, and communication media factors. Research limitations are discussed, and recommendations for further study are outlined in the conclusion.

text: The Effects of the Web as a Form of Stakeholder Communication: An empirical case study of a co-operative This research aims to add some understanding to the existing stakeholder management literature with a focus on the management of stakeholder communication. It explores how the Web can assist the management of the communication between a dairy co-operative and its farmer supplier-shareholders. An exploratory case study and semi-structured in-depth interview research design is used to collect, analyse, and present the perceptions of interview participants. 

This research highlights a paradox, which results from the inconsistent needs of the farmers as both suppliers and shareholders of the co-operative. A number of factors that have influenced farmer interviewees' decisions to either reject or embrace the Web are also identified. These factors are divided into two categories, those closely associated with individual characteristics, namely, perceived values, perceived self-efficacy, and awareness; and these outside the individual's control, namely, infrastructure and media conflict. 

These findings suggest that the Web adds flexibility to organisations' stakeholder communication strategies by offering an additional communication form. In particular, this research shows that the Web contributes to overall management of stakeholder communication through 1) increased accessibility to personalised and up-to-date information, 2) added flexibility to self-service programs, and 3) a recreated sense of 'conventional' community. 

Furthermore, the Web should be used as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, conventional communication forms in stakeholder communication strategies. Although the Web may not be the answer for all stakeholder communication challenges; what seems undeniable is the tremendous potential of the Web in facilitating and leveraging the management of stakeholder communication. Three considerations are proposed for organisations planning to include the Web as part of their stakeholder communication strategy: organisational needs, stakeholder characteristics, and communication media factors. Research limitations are discussed, and recommendations for further study are outlined in the conclusion.

year: 2007

title: Tōku tūrangawaewae: Culture, identity, and belonging for Māori homeless people

authors: Groot, Shiloh Ann Maree

subjects: Māori

abstract: To be Māori is to have a tūrangawaewae (a place of strength and belonging, a place to stand). If so, is it conceivable that Māori are homeless in our own homeland? This presentation focuses on the experiences of two Māori homeless people who took part in a 3-year research project conducted in partnership with not-for-profit service agencies. Previous research into street homelessness has all but ignored indigenous histories, circumstances and worldviews. The situation in which indigenous people find themselves requires us to rethink how we understand homelessness and the development of culturally based roles and identities on the street and beyond.

text: Tōku tūrangawaewae: Culture, identity, and belonging for Māori homeless people To be Māori is to have a tūrangawaewae (a place of strength and belonging, a place to stand). If so, is it conceivable that Māori are homeless in our own homeland? This presentation focuses on the experiences of two Māori homeless people who took part in a 3-year research project conducted in partnership with not-for-profit service agencies. Previous research into street homelessness has all but ignored indigenous histories, circumstances and worldviews. The situation in which indigenous people find themselves requires us to rethink how we understand homelessness and the development of culturally based roles and identities on the street and beyond.

year: 2010