Nostalgia: A Psychological Perspective

Abstract

A survey was designed to assess nostalgia for 20 aspects of experience as well as relative judgments of the world past, present, and future. Surveys were completed by 648 respondents, 268 males and 380 females, ranging in age from 4 to 80 years old. Split-half reliability was .78. Test-retest reliability over a 1-wk. interval on a separate sample of 50 respondents was .84. Nostalgia was related to the judgment of the past relative to the present. Gender differences were not significant, but significant differences across age groups were obtained for most items. The intensity of nostalgic sentiment varied across objects, situations, aspects of society, and people. Factor analysis suggested that nostalgia is comprised of a number of factors reflecting different spheres and levels of experience. For nostalgia, conceptualized as a multifaceted, composite construct, results were discussed with respect to four approaches—generational, developmental, personality, and transient mood state. Suggestions were made for further development of the survey and for research exploring relationships among nostalgia, motivation, emotion, and behavior.