Imagining the Past, Constructing the Future

This book explores the constructive and interconnected nature of remembering and imagining, viewing them as cognitive-affective processes that emerge at the border of the person and their socio-cultural world. It integrates theories of remembering and imagining through empirical studies in diverse cultural settings and concerns the development of self and identity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 187 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate realm of remembering and imagining, adopting a sociocultural, developmental, and dialogical lens to explore their constructive and interconnected nature. Viewed as cognitive-affective processes, both emerge at the crossroads of the individual and their socio-cultural world. Memory is approached as a functional adaptation to the environment, harnessing the resources of the past to prepare for action in the present. Imagination, on the other hand, shares a close relationship with memory, as both strive to transcend the limitations of the concrete present moment, albeit with different orientations. Both are intricately embedded in the exchanges with the social and cultural milieu, necessitating the reliance on key ideas from renowned scholars such as Lev Vygotsky, Frederic Bartlett, and Mikhail Bakhtin.

In pursuit of integrating these theories, the book embarks on rich empirical studies conducted across diverse cultural contexts, shedding light on the development of self and identity. These two subparts form the backbone of the book, organizing its content and providing a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted aspects of remembering and imagining.

Through its insightful narratives and rigorous analysis, this book offers valuable insights into the complex processes of human memory and imagination, shedding light on their role in shaping our lives and societies. It serves as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research and the importance of understanding the interplay between individual experiences and cultural contexts in shaping our understanding of the world.

Weight: 332g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030641771
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020