Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T05:43:30.044Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A Study on the “First Memory”

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

Luigi Gedda*
Affiliation:
Istituto Superiore di Magistero “Maria SS. Assunta”, Roma Cattedra di Psicologia Sperimentale
*
Istituto di Genetica Medica e Gemellologia Gregorio Mendel, Piazza Galeno 5, 00161 Roma, Italy

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The phenomenon of the so-called first memory has been studied in a sample of 350 pupils of an elementary school, 98 female university students, and 68 twin pairs of different age and zygosity.

In the average, the first memory refers to the 3rd-4th year of life, with a tendency to move forwards in relation to the age of the subject. This may be interpreted in terms of an unconscious selection operated by the memory, preferring more detailed memories and therefore producing the loss of undetermined and vague ones. Moreover, an unconscious tendency is also shown towards the recollection of pleasant memories. The first memory may be considered as a particular example of long-term memory.

The twin study shows that the hereditary conditioning of the phenomenon corresponds to 47%.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1973

References

BIBLIOGRAFIA

Bovet, D., Bovet-Nitti, F., Oliverio, A. 1969. Genetic aspects of learning and memory in mice. Science, 163: 139149.Google Scholar
Bühler, C. 1964. La Psicologia nella Vita del Nostro Tempo. Milano: Garzanti Editore.Google Scholar
Burt, H.E. 1932. An experimental study of early childhood memory. J. Genet. Psychol., pp. 287295.Google Scholar
Caplan, G. 1955. Problems of Early Childhood. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
Domagk, G.F., Zippel, H.P. 1970. Biochemie der Gedächtnisspeicherung. Naturwissenschaften, 57: 152162.Google Scholar
Galton, F. 1869. Hereditary Genius. MacMillan.Google Scholar
Galton, F. 1883. Inquires into Human Faculty and its Development. Clay.Google Scholar
Gedda, L. 1951. Studio dei Gemelli. Roma: Edizioni Orizzonte Medico.Google Scholar
Gedda, L. 19511952. Psicologia e linguaggio. Roma: Annuario dell'Istituto Universitario di Magistero Maria SS. Assunta.Google Scholar
Gedda, L. 1961. Twins in History and Science. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas.Google Scholar
Gedda, L., Brenci, G. 1961. Lo studio dei gemelli come metodo di ricerca in genetica umana. In Gedda, L.: De Genetica Medica. Vol. II, pp. 439470. Roma: Edizioni Istituto Mendel.Google Scholar
Gedda, L., Brenci, G. 1973. Cronogenetica, l'Eredità del Tempo Biologico. Milano: Mondadori EST.Google Scholar
Gemelli, A., Zunini, G. 1947. Introduzione alla Psicologia. Milano: Vita e Pensiero.Google Scholar
Liebman, G. 1959. Emotional Forces in the Family. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company.Google Scholar
Robustelli, F. 1972. La memoria. In Ancona, L.: Nuove Questioni di Psicologia. Vol. I. Brescia: La Scuola.Google Scholar
Ungar, G. 1972. Le code moléculaire de la mémoire. La Recherche, 19.Google Scholar
Wickens, D.D., Meyer, D.R. 1961. Psychology. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.Google Scholar