reminiscence bump

American  

[rem-uh-nis-uhns buhmp] / ˌrɛm əˈnɪs əns ˌbʌmp /

noun

Psychology.

1. an observed tendency among adults over the age of 40 to have memories from their adolescence and early adulthood that are more numerous, more clearly recalled, and more pleasant or positive than those from any other period of their life.

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Etymology

Origin of reminiscence bump

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Researchers at the University of Leeds proposed one enticing explanation in 2008: The years highlighted by the reminiscence bump coincide with “the emergence of a stable and enduring self.”

From Slate • Aug. 12, 2014

According to the reminiscence bump theory, we all have a culturally conditioned “life script” that serves, in our memory, as the narrative of our lives.

From Slate • Aug. 12, 2014

Something else made the survivors’ painful memories so persistent—and that something might shed light on the standard reminiscence bump in ways the life script couldn’t.

From Slate • Jan. 18, 2013

Yet the cognitive account of the reminiscence bump leaves many questions unanswered.

From Slate • Jan. 18, 2013

Foer, too, seems most persuaded by the identity-based approach to the reminiscence bump.

From Slate • Jan. 18, 2013