Denison Scientific Association: The Social Function of Vicarious Memories in Older Adults

Autobiographical memory refers to recollections of events that were personally experienced, while vicarious memory refers to events that were not personally experienced but are instead formed from second-hand descriptions of events told to us by others. Autobiographical memory serves social functions by helping us create and maintain bonds with others, but there are differences in the ways that older adults (65+) and college students report using their personal and vicarious memories for the social function. This talk will describe research on these differences, implications, and possible future directions.