Evidence for the Generality of Reminiscence as a Function of Extraversion and Neuroticism

Summary

The study was conducted in order to determine whether magnitude of reminiscence would vary consistently across different motor tasks as a function of personality factors. Twenty-eight male and female college students were all given eight trials on both the inverted alphabet printing and pursuit rotor tasks. Personality measures of extraversion and neuroticism were obtained on all Ss by means of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Results indicated that extraverts showed significantly more reminiscence than introverts on both tasks. Data argued against a “task-specific” account of reminiscence and suggested rather that reminiscence effects are characteristic of the individual.