A Test of Competing Explanations of the Reminiscence Bump in a Military Population

Abstract

The reminiscence bump is a phenomenon in which a disproportionate number of memories are recalled from the youth period of ages 15 to 25. The cognitive, identity, and life script accounts of the reminiscence bump are compared in a novel population, active or retired military personnel over 40 years of age. Results provide the greatest support for the cognitive account as an explanation for the reminiscence effect, closely followed by the identity account. The life script account received much less support as an explanation. Directions for future research and further theoretical development of explanations for the reminiscence bump are discussed.