The interplay between cultural life scripts and life stories across three different age groups

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore generality of life scripts, possible effect of life scripts on remembering past, the nature of prospective life stories and the potential role of affect on life scripts and life stories. For that aim, present study collected data on cultural life scripts, retrospective and prospective life stories and affect from three different age groups (young, middle age, and old) within the same culture. Life scripts were expected to be similar across age groups. They were further predicted to be influential on only remembering life stories. Participants were anticipated to expect future life events on the basis of life scripts. Affect was hypothesized to be related to the valence of both life script and life story events reported. All predictions of the present study were confirmed. Life scripts were highly consistent across age groups and they were effective not only in remembering retrospective life stories but also in expecting prospective ones. Valence of the reported life script and life story events was related to the affective state of the participants. Old group had the lowest negative affect scores and the lowest number of negatively valenced life script and life story events compared to younger groups. Both life scripts and life stories were dominated by positive events and displayed reminiscence bump. Life scripts seem to be guiding the retrieval of autobiographical memories.