Autobiographical remembering and forgetting: What can hypnosis tell us?

Autobiographical memory can be characterized in terms of its reconstructive nature, its relationship with self-identity, and its shifting accessibilit y. Hypnosis research on personal memory has focused for the most part on it s reconstructive nature. The authors examine selected contributions of hypn osis research to understand the nature and function of autobiographical mem ory and consider further ways in which hypnosis can make specific contribut ions to theoretical understanding and empirical inquiry into personal recol lection. The authors provide some examples of research on Various aspects o f hypnosis and autobiographical memory and suggest particular ways for addi ng to the value and impact of such work. They argue that hypnosis researche rs should continue to look for ways in which they can demonstrate and commu nicate the vigor and relevance of their work.