Benchmark memories in adulthood: Central domains and predictors of their frequency

This study extended earlier research on the reminiscence bump phenomenon in autobiographical memory by examining the central domains and predictors of benchmark memories from a life history timeline and from three selected si gnificant events. Memories elicited by these methods demonstrated the remin iscence bump as occurring in early adulthood. The central domains represent ing this era involved events with family and relationships followed by thos e related to education and work. Individual differences in socio-emotional variables associated with self and identity formations (i.e., family climat e, defensive style, self-complexity, and adult attachment) were associated with the reminiscence bump. These findings support the self-narrative hypot hesis that the reminiscence phenomenon is related to the process of identit y formation in late adolescence and early adulthood.