Memory is most vivid and enduring when the memory takes place during a period of rapid change and is followed up with long-lasting stability (leads to better encoding/consolidation).

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

- Self-image hypothesis
- Cognitive hypothesis
- Cultural life script hypothesis

Different hypotheses explaining the reminiscence bump 

The process of memory going from an unstable state to a more stable, permanent one. 

Memory Consolidation

Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience. Nelson Education.


Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience

The reason why the reminiscence bump occurs when it does, is because this is when someone's identity is forming. Proposed by Clare Rathbone.

Self-image hypothesis

Cognitive hypothesis

Separates a person's "life story" from a "cultural life script". Events that fit into the typical cultural life script (culturally expected events) of someone's culture are better remembered than ones that don't. 

Cultural life script hypothesis

The major method of consolidation. The process where the hippocampus replays events associated with a memory.

Reactivation

- The standard model of consolidation
- Multiple trace model of consolidation

Memory consolidation models

- Synaptic consolidation (late-phase long-term potentiation)
- Systems consolidation
- Reconsolidation

Memory consolidation processes

Long-term recall is improved when studying is broken up into many short sessions rather than long concentrated ones (memory consolidation is improved). 

Spacing effect

It is the opposite of spacing: studying in long concentrated sessions rather than many short ones.

Massing effect

Once information reaches long-term memory, it must be consolidated. This consolidation process occurs at two distinct stages: at the synaptic level, which takes a few hours, and into the broader memory system, which can take weeks or longer.

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