Reminiscence

Reminiscence is the act or process of recalling past experiences or events. It can be spontaneous or deliberate and may involve recalling personal memories, stories told aloud, or reflections on one’s life. In everyday use it can also refer to the recalled material itself.

The word derives from Latin reminiscere, "to recall," and entered English through French. In psychology and gerontology, reminiscence denotes the retrieval of autobiographical memories and the construction of narrative accounts of one’s life.

Voluntary reminiscence is deliberate memory retrieval for meaning-making; involuntary reminiscence occurs as memory pops into consciousness in response to cues. Life review is a structured form used in therapy and aging care to explore a person’s life story.

Reminiscence is often triggered by sensory cues such as smells, music, photographs, or familiar places. It engages episodic and semantic memory and can elicit emotional responses, strengthening identity, continuity, and social bonds.

In clinical and social settings, reminiscence therapy aims to improve mood, reduce depression, and enhance well-being in older adults, especially those with dementia or cognitive decline. Evidence suggests potential benefits, but findings vary by method and population.

See also: nostalgia, autobiographical memory, life review, memory.