How did Method acting use an actor's emotional memory?

Method acting, a technique championed by directors like Elia Kazan and teachers such as Lee Strasberg, utilizes a concept known as affective memory to help actors achieve psychological truth on stage and screen.123

Rather than relying on superficial theatrical clichés, the actor uses affective memory to consciously recall and relive past personal experiences—both pleasant and traumatic—that are triggered by analogous situations within the character's imaginary circumstances. This process allows the actor to:12

• Generate Genuine Emotion: By tapping into the residue of previous emotional responses, the actor can produce authentic feelings rather than merely imitating the physical signs of emotion.12
• Maintain Consistency: Because literal, spontaneous emotion is difficult to control or repeat night after night, affective memory provides a reliable, conscious path to recreate the required emotional intensity for every performance.12
• Build from Within: The technique encourages building a character from the inside out, using the actor's own emotional history to inform the character's reasoning and behavior.12

Ultimately, this training enables the performer to "live" the role, bridging the gap between the actor's private reality and the public performance.12