Lifespan

Question 0

Describe the reminiscence bump?

Answer 0

A higher concentration of memories from age 10 - 30 but more commonly 15 - 25 years. Memories more vivid and accurate.

Question 1

Describe the period of childhood amnesia?

Answer 1

Adults remember very little from before the age of 5. Fivush noted that AMs are formed and retrieved in early childhood and that it is only in adulthood that they somehow become inaccessible.

Question 2

Describe the recency period?

Answer 2

A high concentration of recent memories.

Question 3

Give two theories for the period of childhood amnesia?

Answer 3

1 - Different goal hierarchy in adulthood so adult working self can no longer access these memories (Conway and Pledyll-Pearce, 2000).

2 - Working self suppresses these memories due to their emotional intensity. They might destabilise the adult working self (Freud).

Question 4

Give two theories for the reminiscence bump?

Answer 4

1 - A period of novel experiences followed by relative stability (more efficient encoding make them easily accessible) (Rubin, 2002).

2 - These memories are self-defining so help to bind the working self to reality (Conway, 2000).

Question 5

Give two theories for the recency period?

Answer 5

1 - Memories lose activation with time, so are not so easily brought to mind.

2 - Changes to the working self over time mean that recent memories are more available.