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Title: The Conversion of Generational Effects into Collective Memories
Three conclusions about collective memory are developed from data obtained before and after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States. First, gener- ational effects, as predicted by the critical years hypothesis, show that a dramatic new national or world event can have an impact on young cohorts that leads to a lasting collective memory. Second, for the September 11, 2001 attack, that effect was visible almost immediately after the event. Third, once a collective memory is established, it is retained by the affected cohorts as they age, as we show for the Vietnam War. We conceptualize the population as consisting of successive cohorts, each of which carries collective memories arising from major events that occurred during its critical years.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
0853381
PAR ID:
10060225
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
International Journal of Public Opinion Research
Volume:
29
Issue:
3
ISSN:
0954-2892
Page Range / eLocation ID:
edw012
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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