Functions of Family Memories of WWII at the Mirco, Meso, and Macro levels

Cordonnier, Aline [UCL]

We are more than our autobiographical memories. While past research has discussed in depth the functions of autobiographical thinking, few studies have examined how vicarious memories from close others — in particular family members — can impact us. We create a sense of self by recalling personal events, but also by embedding it within family identity, built on stories from our family past. We share personal and family narratives to bond or teach others, but also to help us make decisions. Vicarious memories therefore serve similar functions to autobiographical memories. But when these family stories become part of collective narratives, they can have major impacts on individuals’ social identity, inter- and intragroup relations, and their interpretation of the world. Accordingly, individual and collective memory have parallel functions. In our study, we met with families with an ancestor who either resisted during the Second World War or was judged for collaboration after the war. We interviewed participants from three different generations and asked them whether it was important for them to know and transmit their family stories about the war and why. Answers were coded as serving personal or collective functions. Within these two categories, functions were coded as self, social and directive. Results show that these war-related family stories tend to serve important functions for the self and for social relationships at the individual level and more directive functions at the collective level. Stories of the resistance also seemed to have a more collective impact than stories of the collaboration.