Date of Award

Spring 2022

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Major

Neuroscience

First Advisor

Sarah A. Raskin

Second Advisor

Sally Bernardina Seraphin

Abstract

Culture has been implicated in episodic memory, but this has not been explored in episodic future thought. Episodic information helps to form an identity. Thus, this is an exploratory study to identify unique ways in which Spanish-English Hispanic/Latino populations remember and project to the future, perceive themselves over time, and perceive the passage of time. Participants (n = 50) were healthy bilingual Hispanics/Latinos living in the U.S. tested over Zoom. Materials included background information, an acculturation scale, Temporal Focus Scale (TFS), and Thinking About Life Experiences (TALE) Scale. A time estimation measure and Pre- and Re- experiencing Mental Events (PRIME) task were created for this study. Linear regressions were used to analyze the predictive value of culture, and language variables for mental time travel measures. Culture of origin might predict both past and future focus factor because of traditions continuing from the past and hope for socioeconomic progress in the future. Years living in the U.S. and first language influence collectivism in past and future projections. Spanish-speakers living the U.S could feel solidarity with Hispanic/Latino communities. U.S. cultural identification could predict time estimation because internal time passes faster than actual time due to the fast pace of life in the U.S.

Comments

With gratitude to the 50 participants and community members who participated in and shared my study, Ashley Diaz and Valerie Casella for their help in recruitment and data collection, and Dr. Sarah Raskin, for her endless support and expertise.

Senior thesis completed at Trinity College Hartford CT for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience.

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