Family stories on public events are passed down through generations

What is it about?

People form and retain vivid memories of their personal experiences, and they also have the capacity to recall events from the lives of others. These types of memories, called vicarious memories, can take many shapes and have many functions, as highlighted by Pillemer et al. (2024). In this commentary, we explored how memories of personal experiences related to historical conflicts are passed down across generations within families. We discussed the importance of these memories in shaping individual and collective identities, as well as fostering a deeper understanding of historical events and familial relationships.

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Photo by Laura Fuhrman on Unsplash

Photo by Laura Fuhrman on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Vicarious memories of past collective conflict shape the identities, values, and beliefs of future generations. They also impact how families and societies remember and interpret their recent history. Recognizing how these memories are passed down and their limitations helps us understand how collective memory is formed and evolves.