ERIC Number: EJ745879
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Sep
Pages: 11
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1649
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Available Date: N/A
Adult Age Differences in Autobiographical Reasoning in Narratives
Pasupathi, Monisha; Mansour, Emma
Developmental Psychology, v42 n5 p798-808 Sep 2006
Two studies examined age differences in autobiographical reasoning within narratives about personal experiences. In Study 1 (n = 63), people completed brief interviews about turning points and crises in their lives. Older participants were more likely to narrate crises in ways that connected the experience to the speaker's sense of self, that is, to show autobiographical reasoning. This increase was primarily evident in young adulthood and midlife. In Study 2 (n = 115), adults provided written narratives about heterogeneous autobiographical experiences. Age was associated with linear increases in the likelihood of autobiographical reasoning. The results are discussed in terms of narrative approaches to self-development across the life span.
Descriptors: Adults, Age Differences, Autobiographies, Thinking Skills, Personal Narratives, Interviews, Self Actualization, Experience, Lifelong Learning
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A