Preparation
This discussion requires data collection of three personal narratives (you and two other people). Consider selecting people from the following age groups: 18-22, 30-40, and 50+; then talk with them about the following topic.
"Think about TWO of your earliest childhood experiences in as much detail as you can. Write about each story as though you/they were telling it to someone."
Also ask each person to write down the following information:
- The age at which the event occurred, to the best of his/her or your knowledge.
- State the reason/way that the age is known (e.g., photographs or parents confirmed it).
Discussion Essay
- Evaluate the stories you collected (i.e., DO NOT SIMPLY POST THE STORIES).
- State (based on the readings and consistent with the date you have) the most logical reason why people have difficulty recalling experiences from infancy/toddlerhood.
- Provide a general description of your mini-experiment by indicating:
- First, the earliest age someone recalled an event and the average age.
- Second, what you believe made the events they retold emotionally salient or special (e.g., scary, thrilling, or novel) without repeating the stories, although you may give us the highlights.
- Finally, which of these retold memories do you believe were accurately recalled, and which were not? Specify your reasons (e.g., evidence from photographs or parents confirmed it).