Collective Nostalgia

What it is

In four studies, recalling a nostalgic event shared with ingroup members led people to view the ingroup more favourably and to express stronger intentions to approach its members, compared with personal nostalgia, positive shared memories or no recall.

In effect

The article on why many people are nostalgic for the 2000s and 2016 uses it as one reason a whole age group looks back together.

What it does not say

The four studies compared recalled events, so they show a shift in views of a group after recall. They do not say how long the shift lasts or that every group looks back in the same way.

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