Concept · Cognitive Bias: Memory biases and distortions
Reminiscence bump
Origin: Rubin et al., 1986
Biological Parallel
Juvenile salmon imprint on their natal stream during a critical developmental window—memories formed during identity-formation periods (ages 15-25 in humans) receive enhanced encoding because this is when organisms learn 'who I am' patterns. The reminiscence bump reflects developmental salience: adolescence and early adulthood establish behavioral repertoires and social identities that predict lifelong patterns. Enhanced memory for this period is adaptive tagging: foundational identity memories get permanent storage priority.