The Bumps in Trinidadian Life: Reminiscence Bumps for Positive and Negative Life Events

Abstract

SummaryThe study examined the life‐script account for a reminiscence bump in a Trinidadian sample (N = 100; range: 31–59 years old). The cue‐word technique elicited memories, and events (n = 809) were content‐coded as life scripted (e.g., marriage), considering normative ages from a preliminary study, unusual (e.g., traumatic events), or ordinary (e.g., a day at the beach). Two reminiscence bumps were found: one between 6 and 15 years old and another in the mid‐twenties, for both positive and negative events. The early bump was comprised mostly of ordinary events, regardless of participant's age. The second bump period was mostly unusual events, regardless of valence, although people ≥40 years old were producing this bump for negative life events. Life‐scripted events were found only in the early negative reminiscence bump. The discussion focuses on other theoretical interpretations for the findings (e.g., life‐story account), methodological considerations for future work, and cultural considerations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.