Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Using the Past to Enhance the Present: Boosting Happiness Through Positive Reminiscence

  • Published:
Journal of Happiness Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Two studies explored relations between positive reminiscing and emotional experience – a survey of naturally occurring reminiscence (Study 1) and a field experiment testing the affective consequences of two styles of reminiscing (Study 2). In Study 1, frequency of positive reminiscing predicted perceived ability to enjoy life, and students who reminisced using cognitive imagery reported a greater ability to savor positive events than those who reminisced using memorabilia. In Study 2, students were randomly assigned either to reminisce about pleasant memories using cognitive imagery, reminisce about pleasant memories using memorabilia, or think about current concerns (control condition) for 10 min twice daily for a week. Both reminiscence groups reported greater increases in the percent of time they felt happy over the past week than the control group; and happiness increased more in the cognitive imagery group than in the memorabilia group.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • N.V. Adcock M.W. Ross (1983) ArticleTitleEarly memories, early experiences, and personality Social Behavior and Personality 11 95–100

    Google Scholar 

  • R.M. Baron D.A. Kenny (1986) ArticleTitleThe moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 51 1173–1182 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173 Occurrence Handle3806354

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S.L. Bem (1981) ArticleTitleGender schema theory: A cognitive account of sex typing Psychological Review 88 354–364 Occurrence Handle10.1037//0033-295X.88.4.354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Blaney (1986) ArticleTitleAffect and memory: A review Psychological Bulletin 99 229–246 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0033-2909.99.2.229 Occurrence Handle3515383

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S. Bluck (2003) ArticleTitleAutobiographical memory: Exploring its functions in everyday life Memory 11 113–123 Occurrence Handle12820825

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • G.H. Bower (1981) ArticleTitleMood and memory American Psychologist 36 129–148 Occurrence Handle10.1037//0003-066X.36.2.129 Occurrence Handle7224324

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • F.B. Bryant (1989) ArticleTitleA four-factor model of perceived control: Avoiding, coping, obtaining, and savoring Journal of Personality 57 773–798

    Google Scholar 

  • F.B. Bryant (2003) ArticleTitleA scale for measuring beliefs about savoring Journal of Mental Health 12 175–196 Occurrence Handle10.1080/0963823031000103489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F.B. Bryant J. Veroff (1984) ArticleTitleDimensions of subjective mental health in American men and women Journal of Health and Social Behavior 25 116–135 Occurrence Handle6470455

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • F.B. Bryant P.R. Yarnold L. Morgan (1991) ArticleTitleType A behavior and reminiscence in college undergraduates Journal of Research in Personality 25 418–433 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0092-6566(91)90031-K

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. Buchanan A. Moorhouse L. Cabico M. Krock H. Campbell D. Spevakow (2002) ArticleTitleA critical review and synthesis of literature on reminiscing with older adults Canadian Journal of Nursing Research 34 123–139 Occurrence Handle12425014

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J.P. Buckner R. Fivush (2000) ArticleTitleGendered themes in family reminiscing Memory 8 401–412 Occurrence Handle10.1080/09658210050156859 Occurrence Handle11145071

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • R.N. Butler (1963) ArticleTitleThe life review: An interpretation of reminiscence in the aged Psychiatry 26 65–76 Occurrence Handle14017386

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • R.N. Butler M.I. Lewis (1982) Aging and Mental Health C. V. Mosby St. Louis, MO

    Google Scholar 

  • P.G. Coleman (1974) ArticleTitleMeasuring reminiscence characteristics from conversation as adaptive features of old age International Journal of Aging and Human Development 5 281–294

    Google Scholar 

  • M.A. Conway (1996) Autobiographical knowledge and autobiographical memories D.C. Rubin (Eds) Remembering Our Past: Studies in Autobiographical Memory Cambridge University Press Cambridge 67–93

    Google Scholar 

  • T.D. Cook D.T. Campbell (1979) Quasi-experimentation: design and analysis issues for field settings Rand McNally Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Diener (1984) ArticleTitleSubjective well-being Psychological Bulletin 95 542–575

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Erikson (1963) Childhood and Society W. W. Norton Company New York

    Google Scholar 

  • R.D. Fallot (1980) ArticleTitleThe impact on mood on verbal reminiscing in later adulthood International Journal of aging and Human Development 10 385–400

    Google Scholar 

  • H.H. Fink (1957) ArticleTitleThe relationship of time perspective to age, institutionalization and activity Journal of Gerontology 12 414–417 Occurrence Handle13475751

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • R.A. Finke (1985) ArticleTitleTheories relating mental imagery to perception Psychological Bulletin 98 236–259 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0033-2909.98.2.236 Occurrence Handle3901061

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • R. Fivush E. Reese (2002) Reminiscing and relating: The development of parent–child talk about the past J.D. Webster B.K. Haight (Eds) Critical Advances in Reminiscence Work: From Theory to Application Springer New York 109–122

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Fivush E. Reese (2002) Reminiscing and relating: The development of parent-child talk about the past J.D. Webstar B.K. Haight (Eds) Critical advances in reminiscence work: From theory to application Springer New York 109–122

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Fordyce (1987) Research and Tabular Supplement for the Happiness Measures Cypress Lake Media Fort Myers, FL

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Habermas C. Paha (2000) Souvenirs and other personal objects: Reminding of past events and significant others in the transition to university J.D. Webster B. K. Haight (Eds) Critical Advances in Reminiscence Work: From Theory to Application Springer New York 123–139

    Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Havighurst (1959) Human Development and Education Longman New York

    Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Havighurst R. Glasser (1972) ArticleTitleAn exploratory study of reminiscence Journal of Gerontology 27 245–253 Occurrence Handle5060729

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • B.E. Hedgepeth W.D. Hale (1983) ArticleTitleEffect of a positive reminiscing intervention on affect, expectancy, and performance Psychological Reports 53 867–870

    Google Scholar 

  • G.N. Holmbeck (1997) ArticleTitleToward terminological, conceptual, and statistical clarity in the study of mediators and moderators: Examples from the child-clinical and pediatric psychology literatures Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 65 599–610 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0022-006X.65.4.599 Occurrence Handle9256561

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S. Hormuth (1990) The Ecology of the Self: Relocation and Self-concept Change Cambridge University Press Cambridge, England

    Google Scholar 

  • G.J. Huba C.S. Aneshensel J.L. Singer (1981) ArticleTitleDevelopment of scales for three second-order factors of inner experience Multivariate Behavioral Research 16 181–206

    Google Scholar 

  • G.A. Hughston S.B. Merriam (1982) ArticleTitleReminiscence: A nonformal technique for improving cognitive functioning in the aged International Journal of Aging and Human Development 15 139–149 Occurrence Handle7183560

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • L.M. Kelly P.M. Mosher-Ashley (2002) ArticleTitleCombining reminiscence with journal writing to promote greater life satisfaction in an assisted-living community Activities, Adaptation, & Aging 26 35–46

    Google Scholar 

  • R.B. Kline (2005) Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling EditionNumber2 Guilford New York

    Google Scholar 

  • C.N. Lewis (1971) ArticleTitleReminiscing and self-concept in old age Journal of Gerontology 26 240–243 Occurrence Handle5554326

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • C.N. Lewis (1973) ArticleTitleThe adaptive value of reminiscing in old age Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 6 117–121

    Google Scholar 

  • M.I. Lewis R.N. Butler (1974) ArticleTitleLife review therapy: Putting memories to work in individual and group psychotherapy Geriatrics 29 165–169 Occurrence Handle4417455

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • M.A. Lieberman J.M. Falk (1971) ArticleTitleThe remembered past as a source of data for research on the life cycle Human Development 14 132–141

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Lo Gerfo (1980) ArticleTitleThree ways of reminiscence in theory and practice International Journal of Aging and Human Development 12 39–46 Occurrence Handle7203670

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • R.I. Lowenthal R.A. Marazzo (1990) ArticleTitleMilestoning: Evoking memories for resocialization through group reminiscence The Gerontologist 30 269–272 Occurrence Handle2189793

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • E.E. Maccoby C.N. Jacklin (1974) The Psychology of Sex Differences Stanford University Press Stanford, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • D.P. MacKinnon J.H. Dwyer (1993) ArticleTitleEstimating mediated effects in prevention studies Evaluation Review 17 144–158

    Google Scholar 

  • D.P. McAdams (1985) Power, Intimacy, and the Life Story: Personological Inquiries into Identity Guilford New York

    Google Scholar 

  • A.W. McMahon SuffixJr. P.J. Rhudick (1967) Reminiscing in the aged: An adaptational response S. Levin R.J. Kahana (Eds) Psychodynamic Studies on Aging: Creativity, Reminiscing, and Dying International Universities Press New York 64–78

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Merriam (1980) ArticleTitleThe concept and function of reminiscence: A review of the research The Gerontologist 20 604–608 Occurrence Handle7002735

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S.R. Merriam C.H. Cross (1982) ArticleTitleAdulthood and reminiscence: A descriptive study Educational Gerontology 8 291–301

    Google Scholar 

  • V. Molinari R.E. Reichlin (1985) ArticleTitleLife review reminiscence in the elderly: A review of the literature International Journal of Aging and Human Development 20 81–92

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Ott (1993) ArticleTitleEnhancing validation through milestoning with sensory reminiscence Journal of Gerontological Social Work 20 147–159

    Google Scholar 

  • E. O’Leary I.M. Nieuwstraten (2001) ArticleTitleThe exploration of memories in Gestalt reminiscence therapy Counseling Psychology 14 165–180 Occurrence Handle10.1080/09515070110057522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R.G. Parker (1999) ArticleTitleReminiscence as continuity: Comparison of young and older adults Journal of Clinical Geropsychology 5 147–157 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1022931111622

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M.B. Parten (1950) Surveys, Polls, and Samples Harper New York

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Pasupathi L.L. Carstensen (2003) ArticleTitleAge and emotional experience during mutual reminiscing Psychology and Aging 18 430–442 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0882-7974.18.3.430 Occurrence Handle14518806

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • P. Perotta J.A. Meacham (1981) ArticleTitleCan a reminiscing intervention alter depression and self-esteem? International Journal of Aging and Human Development 14 23–30 Occurrence Handle7343510

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • G. Ratcliff J. Saxton (1998) Age appropriate memory impairment P.J. Snyder P.D. Nussbaum (Eds) Clinical Neuropsychology: A Pocket Handbook for Assessment American Psychological Association Washington, DC 192–210

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Reese C.A. Haden R. Fivush (1996) ArticleTitleMothers, fathers, daughters, sons: Gender differences in autobiographical reminiscing Research on Language and Social Interaction 29 27–56

    Google Scholar 

  • V. Revere S.S. Tobin (1980) ArticleTitleMyth and reality: The older person’s relationship to his past International Journal of Aging and Human Development 12 15–26 Occurrence Handle7203667

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • M. Romaniuk J.G. Romaniuk (1981) ArticleTitleLooking back: An experimental analysis of reminiscence functions and triggers Experimental Aging Research 7 477–489 Occurrence Handle7333341

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • E. Sherman E.S. Newman (1977) ArticleTitleThe meaning of cherished possessions for the elderly International Journal of Aging and Human Development 8 181–192 Occurrence Handle892918

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • M.E. Sobel (1988) Direct and indirect effects in linear structural equation models J.S. Long (Eds) Common Problems/Proper Solutions: Avoiding Error in Quantitative Research Sage Beverly Hills, CA 46–64

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Strack N. Schwarz E. Gschneidinger (1985) ArticleTitleHappiness and reminiscing: The role of time perspective, affect, and mode of thinking Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 49 1460–1469 Occurrence Handle10.1037/0022-3514.49.6.1460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. Thorne K.C. McLean (2002) ArticleTitleGendered reminiscence practices and self-definition in late adolescence Sex Roles 46 267–277 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1020261211979

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S. Thornton J. Brotchie (1987) ArticleTitleReminiscence: A critical review of the empirical literature British Journal of Clinical Psychology 26 93–111 Occurrence Handle3555663

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J.D. Webster (1994) ArticleTitlePredictors of reminiscence: A lifespan perspective Canadian Journal on Aging 13 66–78

    Google Scholar 

  • J.D. Webster B.K. Haight (1995) Memory lane milestones: Progress in reminiscence definition and classification B.K. Haight J.D. Webster (Eds) The art and science of reminiscing Taylor & Francis Philadelphia, PA 273–286

    Google Scholar 

  • J.D. Webster (2002) Reminiscence functions in adulthood: Age race, and family dynamics correlates J.D. Webster B.K. Haight (Eds) Critical Advances in Reminiscence Work: From Theory to Application Springer New York 140–152

    Google Scholar 

  • D.W. Winnicott (1951) Transitional Objects and Transitional Phenomena. Through Pediatrics to Psychoanalysis Hogarth Press London

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Loyola University of Chicago, 6525 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois, 60201, USA

    Fred B. Bryant, Colette M. Smart & Scott P. King

Authors
  1. Fred B. Bryant
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Colette M. Smart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Scott P. King
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fred B. Bryant.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bryant, F.B., Smart, C.M. & King, S.P. Using the Past to Enhance the Present: Boosting Happiness Through Positive Reminiscence. J Happiness Stud 6, 227–260 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-3889-4

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-3889-4

Key words

Search

Navigation