What happens when we remember together? Investigating collective memory and collaborative recall across the lifespan

'Collective memories' are memories of shared events. These can be shared
by many people (a war) or in smaller groups (a theatre show). We do not
know the impact of age on these shared memories. There is evidence that
some features of collective memories, like recalling them with other people
and discussing them, shape people's original memory of events. We also
know that these conversations and interactions can boost wellbeing in some
adults.

Here we want to find out about the impact of age on collective memories. An
important aspect of collective memory is 'collaborative recall'. Here, people
will experience an event together, and then recall it together. Younger and
older adults will be assigned to small groups within their age category. The
groups will experience an event, forming a shared collective memory. Over
the next 18 months they will take part in three collaborative recall sessions.
Individual assessments of memory, social judgement and social interaction
will help us understand the development of collective memory. The work will
reveal how we can use collaborative recall to improve life experience of older
adults.