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Abstract Transmission of maternal behavior across generations occurs, but less is known about paternal behavior. In biparental species like the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus), paternal care contributes to the well‐being of offspring with lasting consequences on the brain and behavior. Paternal huddling/grooming behavior can be passed on to future generations, but whether paternal retrieval, which removes young from potential harm, is transmitted independently is unclear. We manipulated paternal retrieval experience through pup displacement manipulations, then examined whether males exposed to higher levels of paternal retrieval in development altered their adult retrieval behavior with their offspring. Males exposed to heightened paternal retrievals, as compared to reduced retrievals, retrieved their offspring more often but huddled/groomed offspring less during undisturbed natural observations. No differences were observed following a pup displacement challenge. The high paternal retrieval group also exhibited more physical activity and stereotypy. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that paternal retrieval levels are transmitted across generations and may function via mechanisms separate from huddling/grooming. One modifying factor may be anxiety because increased activity and stereotypy occurred in the high retrieval group. We speculate how the transmission of paternal retrievals may inform a protective parenting style.
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Intergenerational transmission of World War II family historical memories of the Resistance
Collective memory of historical events can be transmitted across generations not only through cultural memory but also through communicative memory; that is, transmitted by people who have lived through these particular times. Yet, few studies have examined the temporal horizon of a particular type of communicative memory: family historical memories. In this article, we examine the intergenerational transmission of memories from the Second World War in families with an ancestor who resisted during the German Occupation. We interviewed 20 French‐speaking Belgian families over three generations. During these individual interviews, participants narrated an anecdote about their ancestor and the Resistance. Then, for the middle and youngest generations, we provided a short cue related to the story chosen by the oldest generation and enquired whether they could tell us the story in their own words. Memory transmission was analysed through two processes: retelling and recalling. Our main result revealed that there was a loss of details across generations, but not complete oblivion. We also found some instances of family myth transmitted across all generations. This study provides evidence that family historical memories fade away after a generation or two, even when these memories describe historical events deemed important for family and society.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1827182
- PAR ID:
- 10381641
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Asian Journal of Social Psychology
- Volume:
- 24
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 1367-2223
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- p. 302-314
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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