ERIC Number: EJ903287
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0885-2014
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Available Date: N/A
Origins of Adolescents' Autobiographical Memories
Reese, Elaine; Jack, Fiona; White, Naomi
Cognitive Development, v25 n4 p352-367 Oct-Dec 2010
Adolescents (N = 46; M = 12.46 years) who had previously participated in a longitudinal study of autobiographical memory development narrated their early childhood memories, interpreted life events, and completed a family history questionnaire and language assessment. Three distinct components of adolescent memory emerged: (1) age of earliest memory and insight into life events; (2) volume of early memories; and (3) density of specific memories from early childhood. Children's language, self-awareness, and theory of mind during early childhood (19-51 months) all contributed to their memories as adolescents. However, adolescents' early reminiscing environment was the best single predictor of the age and volume of their early memories and their insight into life events. In contrast, adolescents' delayed self-recognition and reminiscing in early childhood predicted the density of their early memories. These findings provide partial support for theories of autobiographical memory development. (Contains 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Young Children, Adolescents, Memory, Longitudinal Studies, Personal Narratives, Questionnaires, Family (Sociological Unit), Language Skills, Language Tests, Metacognition, Child Language, Cognitive Processes, Predictor Variables, Age, Child Development, Cognitive Development
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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