Relational Memories from Deployment and Teamwork
When people are away from their families or close friends for extended periods of time, they develop what is known as "relational memories." These are memories that remind them of important moments shared with loved ones. They can be vivid and intense, but also fleeting and hard to recall accurately. Relational memories can also shape how individuals view themselves and others in terms of interpersonal relationships. This is because they provide a reference point for understanding different types of interactions and expectations around trust, communication, and cooperation. When these memories are formed in a high-stress environment like military deployment, they may have particularly strong impacts on future emotional cooperation and teamwork.
Relational memories from deployment often involve experiences that involve risk, danger, or fear.
Someone might remember being part of a unit that successfully completed a mission despite facing heavy fire from enemy forces. The memory could include details about individual contributions, shared goals, and mutual support. It would likely include feelings of camaraderie, loyalty, and pride.
This relational memory could influence how someone views other group memberships and team dynamics. It could encourage them to prioritize collaboration and put aside personal differences in favor of achieving common objectives.
Relational memories from deployment can also be negative. Someone might remember feeling abandoned by a fellow soldier who failed to come through in a critical situation. Or, they might remember struggling to build trust within an unfamiliar unit where each member had their own agenda. In either case, these negative memories could shape future expectations for emotional cooperation and lead to mistrust, competition, or even antagonism in new teams.
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to handling relational memories from deployment. Everyone processes traumatic events differently and has unique needs when it comes to building relationships with others.
Research suggests that individuals who feel supported during deployment—such as having access to mental health services and social activities—are more likely to form positive relational memories. They are also less likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which can have long-term effects on interpersonal functioning.
Relational memories from military deployment play an important role in shaping our expectations for future teamwork and emotional cooperation. By providing a reference point for understanding different types of interactions and goals, they can help us identify common ground with strangers and form meaningful connections with colleagues.
They can also create barriers if we hold onto negative experiences that make us wary of trusting others or working collaboratively. As such, it's crucial for veterans to receive adequate support during and after deployment so they can process difficult memories effectively and develop resilience in the face of adversity.
How do relational memories from deployment influence future expectations for teamwork and emotional cooperation?
Relational memories from deployment can have both positive and negative effects on future expectations for teamwork and emotional cooperation. On one hand, they may lead individuals to feel more comfortable with working collaboratively with others and trusting their team members to achieve shared goals, as they have experienced similar situations in the past.