Citation

Jersild A. J. Exp. Psychol. 1931; 14(3): 284-288.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1931, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/h0074453

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

51 students recorded "all the pleasant experiences which they had during the preceding three weeks," then the unpleasant ones. Three weeks later the recordings were repeated; this time they were asked to recall the earlier lists. 45% of the "pleasure" items (834) and 31% of the "unpleasant" ones (698) were recalled, the difference being statistically reliable. The author believes that "agreeable events will be more subject to review and exercise than the disagreeable," and that "memory for unpleasant events will be modified in terms of activities undertaken to relieve the unpleasantness." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)