Cited by 1,252Nostalgia and Consumer BehaviorIdentity, Memory, and TherapyMemory Processes and Influences

Nostalgia: content, triggers, functions

Open access
Wildschut, Tim, Sedikides, Constantine, Arndt, Jamie, Routledge, Clay·2006·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Abstract

Seven methodologically diverse studies addressed 3 fundamental questions about nostalgia. Studies 1 and 2 examined the content of nostalgic experiences. Descriptions of nostalgic experiences typically featured the self as a protagonist in interactions with close others (e.g., friends) or in momentous events (e.g., weddings). Also, the descriptions contained more expressions of positive than negative affect and often depicted the redemption of negative life scenes by subsequent triumphs. Studies 3 and 4 examined triggers of nostalgia and revealed that nostalgia occurs in response to negative mood and the discrete affective state of loneliness. Studies 5, 6, and 7 investigated the functional utility of nostalgia and established that nostalgia bolsters social bonds, increases positive self-regard, and generates positive affect. These findings demarcate key landmarks in the hitherto uncharted research domain of nostalgia.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1037/0022-3514.91.5.975

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119 of 119 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The effect of nostalgia on social connectedness has been observed among young and older adults, and in North America, Europe, and Asia.

    “The effect has been observed among young and older adults, and in North America, Europe, and Asia.”

    From Nostalgia: An impactful social emotion (2023) · cites this paper as [12]

    The Function Question reports that nostalgia increased measures of social bonding, supporting the effect itself. But the Limitations section says the samples were predominantly college-age British females and identifies age-related and cultural differences as questions for future research. This paper therefore does not support the claim that the effect was observed in older adults, North America, or Asia. (LLM, conf=0.91)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • When one is nostalgic, they nearly always reflect on people and social gatherings in which they are surrounded by others.

    “Analysis of nostalgic narratives have revealed that when one is nostalgic, they nearly always reflect on people (e.g., friends, family) and social gatherings in which they are surrounded by others (e.g., parties, weddings, family reunions) [12].”

    From Nostalgia: An impactful social emotion (2023) · cites this paper as [12]

    The Content of Nostalgic Experience section says the self was rarely isolated in nostalgic narratives, and the Summary of Findings says narratives typically involved important others or momentous events. But the paper does not show that people nearly always reflect on social gatherings: persons and momentous events together accounted for 54% of Study 1 narratives and 62% of Study 2 narratives, and not all momentous events were gatherings. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Nostalgia serves a positive function of alleviating the negative consequences of psychologically adverse stimuli or states.

    “Nostalgia, in turn, serves a positive function of alleviating the negative consequences of such psychologically adverse stimuli/states.”

    From Nostalgia: An impactful social emotion (2023) · cites this paper as [12]

    The paper says Studies 3–4 raised the possibility that nostalgia counteracts negative mood and loneliness, but explicitly says they did not test that possibility directly (Nostalgia, around p. 27). Its Functions results (pp. 33–34) show that induced nostalgia increased positive affect and self-esteem relative to controls. These findings support a positive function, but not the unqualified claim that nostalgia alleviates the consequences of adverse states. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • 79% of UK undergraduate students, and more than 50% of UK adults between 18 and 90, reported on the Southampton Nostalgia Scale that they experienced nostalgia at least once a week.

    “For example, 79% of UK undergraduate students, and more than 50% of UK adults between 18 and 90, reported on the Southampton Nostalgia Scale (Appendix B) that they experienced nostalgia at least once a week (Hepper et al., 2021; Wildschut et al., 2006).”

    From Nostalgia across cultures (2022) · cites this paper as Wildschut et al., 2006

    The Frequency of Nostalgia section reports that 79% of participants experienced nostalgia at least once a week, and the Method identifies the participants as University of Southampton undergraduates (pages not provided). The Materials section describes a single frequency question, not the Southampton Nostalgia Scale. The paper does not report the claim about adults aged 18–90; that portion of the jointly cited sentence is not supported by this source. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Nostalgic (vs. control) participants show more empathy and trust for others, including members of an outgroup.

    “Further, they show more empathy and trust for others, including members of an outgroup (Hepper et al., 2012; Wildschut et al., 2006;”

    From Nostalgia across cultures (2022) · cites this paper as Wildschut et al., 2006

    The Interpersonal Competence results (p. 36) show that nostalgic participants reported greater ability to provide emotional support than controls, and the Functions results (p. 34) show more secure attachment. These related findings do not establish greater empathy or trust, particularly toward outgroup members. (LLM, conf=0.78)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. [20]20. Chaplin, S. (2000). The psychology of time and death. Ashland, OH: Sonnet Press.
  2. [33]33. Festinger, L., Schachter, S., & Back, K. (1950). Social pressures in informal groups: A study of a housing community. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press.
  3. [39]39. Frijda, N. H. (1986). The emotions. New York: Cambridge University Press.
  4. [45]45. Hofer, J. (1688/1934). Medical dissertation on nostalgia. (C. K. Anspach, Trans.). Bulletin of the History of Medicine, 2, 376-391.
  5. [59]59. Larsen, R. J., & Prizmic, Z. (2004). Affect regulation. In R. F. Baumeister and K. D. Vohs (Eds.), Handbook of Self-Regulation. New York: Guilford.
  6. [80]80. Routledge, C., Arndt, J., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2006). A blast from the past: Nostalgia buffers the effect of mortality salience on death-thought accessibility. Manuscript submitted for publication.
  7. [88]88. Sedikides, C., Gaertner, L. & Toguchi, Y. (2003). Pan-cultural self-enhancement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 60-79.
  8. [95]95. Shakespeare, W. (1996). The Sonnets. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Original work published in 1609. Nostalgia 50
  9. [106]106. Vaughan, D. (1986). Uncoupling. New York: Oxford University Press. Nostalgia

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Authors
Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Arndt, J., & Routledge, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Southampton (GB)
  • University of Missouri (US)
Venue
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Published
2006-11
Volume
91
Issue
5
Pages
975-993
ISSN
  • 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1315
OpenAlex
W2080315483
Cited by
1,252
References
117
Citations by year
2026: 84 · 2025: 109 · 2024: 81 · 2023: 102 · 2022: 109 · 2021: 103 · 2020: 113 · 2019: 116 · 2018: 61 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 67 · 2015: 53 · 2014: 47 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 31
FWCI
15.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Nostalgia and Consumer Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
Keywords
nostalgia, negative mood, loneliness, social bonds, self-regard, positive affect, close relationships, life events, narrative content
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Aged, 80 and over, Ego, Emotions, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Life Change Events, Loneliness, Male, Memory, Self Concept, Social Behavior, Students, Observer Variation, Narration

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