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Cited by 1,609Identity, Memory, and TherapyMemory Processes and InfluencesChild and Animal Learning Development

The emergence of autobiographical memory: a social cultural developmental theory.

Nelson, Katherine, Fivush, Robyn·2004·Psychological Review
DOI 10.1037/0033-295x.111.2.486
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Abstract

The authors present a multicomponent dynamic developmental theory of human autobiographical memory that emerges gradually across the preschool years. The components that contribute to the process of emergence include basic memory abilities, language and narrative, adult memory talk, temporal understanding, and understanding of self and others. The authors review the empirical developmental evidence within each of these components to show how each contributes to the timing, quantity, and quality of personal memories from the early years of life. The authors then consider the relevance of the theory to explanations of childhood amnesia and how the theory accounts for and predicts the complex findings on adults' earliest memories, including individual, gender, and cultural differences.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0033-295x.111.2.486

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  • Autobiographical memory emerges gradually in development.

    “autobiographical memory emerges gradually in development (Nelson and Fivush, 2004).”

    From Listening Niches across a Century of Popular Music (2017) · cites this paper as Nelson and Fivush, 2004

  • Autobiographical memories contain the awareness of the self having experienced the event in the past (autonoetic consciousness).

    “In addition to the information about the what, where, and when of an event, autobiographical memories also contain the awareness of the self having experienced the event in the past (i.e., autonoetic consciousness), that is, the notion that the person who is remembering the event now is the same as the person who experienced the event in the past (cf.Nelson & Fivush, 2004).”

    From Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model (2024) · cites this paper as Nelson & Fivush, 2004

  • Processes of narrating one's life and reasoning about autobiographical events are deeply social in nature and often take place in conversations.

    “the processes of narrating one's life and reasoning about autobiographical events are deeply social in nature and often take place in conversations (Grysman et al., 2024;Nelson & Fivush, 2004;Pasupathi & Wainryb, 2010).”

    From Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model (2024) · cites this paper as Nelson & Fivush, 2004

  • Processes of autobiographical remembering and meaning-making are often associated with social interactions.

    “processes of autobiographical remembering and meaning-making are often associated with social interactions (Grysman et al., 2024;Nelson & Fivush, 2004;Pasupathi & Wainryb, 2010)”

    From Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model (2024) · cites this paper as Nelson & Fivush, 2004

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Authors
Nelson, K., & Fivush, R.
Affiliations
The Graduate Center, CUNY (US)
ORCID
Nelson, Katherine
Venue
Psychological Review
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2004
Volume
111
Issue
2
Pages
486-511
ISSN
  • 0033-295X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1471
DOI
10.1037/0033-295x.111.2.486
OpenAlex
W2111275601
Cited by
1,609
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 58 · 2025: 68 · 2024: 74 · 2023: 64 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 82 · 2020: 80 · 2019: 150 · 2018: 68 · 2017: 106 · 2016: 88 · 2015: 90 · 2014: 80 · 2013: 107 · 2012: 74
FWCI
55.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychological Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
Keywords
autobiographical memory, memory development, preschool children, narrative, language, temporal understanding, self and other, childhood amnesia, earliest memories, gender differences, cultural differences, sociocultural theory
MeSH terms
Autobiographies as Topic, Child Development, Child, Preschool, Culture, Female, Humans, Language, Male, Memory, Psychological Theory, Self Concept, Social Behavior

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