Cited by 494Identity, Memory, and TherapyMemory Processes and InfluencesAging and Gerontology Research

Emotionally charged autobiographical memories across the life span: The recall of happy, sad, traumatic and involuntary memories.

Berntsen, Dorthe, Rubin, David C.·2002·Psychology and Aging

Abstract

A sample of 1,241 respondents between 20 and 93 years old were asked their age in their happiest, saddest, most traumatic, most important memory, and most recent involuntary memory. For older respondents, there was a clear bump in the 20s for the most important and happiest memories. In contrast, saddest and most traumatic memories showed a monotonically decreasing retention function. Happy involuntary memories were over twice as common as unhappy ones, and only happy involuntary memories showed a bump in the 20s. Life scripts favoring positive events in young adulthood can account for the findings. Standard accounts of the bump need to be modified, for example, by repression or reduced rehearsal of negative events due to life change or social censure.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0882-7974.17.4.636

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Authors
Berntsen, D., & Rubin, D. C.
Affiliations
Aarhus University (DK)
Venue
Psychology and Aging
Published
2002
Volume
17
Issue
4
Pages
636-652
ISSN
  • 0882-7974 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1498
OpenAlex
W4248252144
Cited by
494
References
86
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 23
FWCI
15.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychology and Aging (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (AG16340, R01AG016340)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
Keywords
autobiographical memory, emotional arousal, traumatic memory, involuntary memory, memory retrieval, lifespan development, aging
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Emotions, Female, Happiness, Humans, Life Change Events, Male, Memory, Middle Aged, Self Concept

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