Ideation and Development of the Meme Mapps Technique to Trace the Developmental History of Pathological Psychological Mems in Major Depressive Disorder: A Qualitative Case Study.

Authors
Mohsen Amiri 1
Jahangir Karami 2
1 Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
2 Razi University
Abstract
One of the overlooked aspects of psychopathology is its cultural foundations. Just as genes can carry defective biological information and transmit it across generations, memes can also transfer defective cultural information into minds, potentially leading to psychological distress. Therefore, the present study aims to conceptualize and develop the technique of Meme Maps to trace the developmental history of pathological psychological memes in Major Depressive Disorder. This study follows a qualitative case-study approach. The research population consisted of individuals aged 18 to 25 diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in Kermanshah, in 2024. Through purposive sampling, a single participant was selected for detailed analysis. Memetic assessment revealed two primary memeplexes—Incapacity-Helplessness and Shame-Deficiency that contributed to the patient’s symptoms. Using the Meme Maps technique, the Gestational and Developmental Meme Events of these memeplexes were identified. The patient’s awareness of these Gestational Meme Events and Developmental Meme Events led to insight into the emotions corresponding to pathological memes, enabling them to destabilize the foundations of their maladaptive memeplexes. This insight further allowed the individual to counteract the extended phenotypic effects of these memeplexes. the study demonstrated the effectiveness of Meme Maps in identifying the evolutionary trajectory of pathological psychological memes in Major Depressive Disorder
Keywords
Meme Maps
depression
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