EARLY MEMORIES, EARLY EXPERIENCES AND PERSONALITY

Abstract

Theory and earlier research indicates that the content of the earliest memory recalled is related to the ‘life-style’ of the individual. Cultural and sex differences have been found to be involved at a significant level The major study reported here confirms earlier reports and finds, furthermore, that personality as measured by the E. P. Q., in complex interaction with age and sex, may have a significant effect on both the type of earliest important experience and earliest memory reported. ‘Neuroticism’ responses for early memories are found to be significantly related to E. P. Q. ‘N’ scores, but interestingly ‘Tenderness’ related memories are also similarly related. A group of memories categorized as ‘Elation’ responses are also found to be significantly related to E. P. Q. ‘Extraversion’ scores. Results for important early experiences in general give parallel findings, but with lower significance, except in the case of ‘Elation’ where there is higher significance, explained possibly by the fact that both conscious and unconscious factors are combining here.