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

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).

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

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

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Generally 40+ year olds remember adolescence and young adulthood more vividly than other periods of their life.

Reminiscence bump

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


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