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The various descriptions of Homer's epic hero Odysseus have a common aspect - the depiction of him as a man who was never "at a loss." As Odysseus tells listeners of his travels and adventures after the Trojan War, his resourcefulness is apparent. He is able to recall specific details of his journey and his experiences, recounting why adventures took place, how events proceeded, and how resolution was achieved - in addition to describing his feelings regarding each adventure. Odysseus' uncanny ability to recollect and retell his travels and experiences suggests that not only was he never at a loss in knowing what to do, but also that he was never at a loss in his ability to remember. His recollections provide much of the book's structure, enabling the reader to get inside the hero's thoughts and understand what Odysseus experienced as he reminisced about his journey.
Reminiscing has this effect: It enables the listener to understand a part of the teller's mind. A more primary benefit, however, is that it enables the teller to relive and rethink aspects of the past, putting memories into a larger perspective and tempering them with other experiences. It is an effective strategy for processing information, feelings and thoughts, and for putting experiences into perspective. As such, it can be used in a variety of areas (such as nursing, social work, and counseling) to achieve various physiological, psychological, and educational outcomes.
Although reminiscence seems to provide these benefits, it may be underused; perhaps because no model has existed for its operationalization. As a result, the reminiscing process usually is implemented according to individual styles, with little definable structure and few identified expectations.
The purpose of this article is fivefold: analyze what reminiscence is; examine why it is used; present the SolCos Reminiscence Model; review literature on reminiscence; and describe implications for future use.
What Is Reminiscence?
A review of the literature from the 1950s to the present shows several similar definitions for reminiscence. Butler (1974) described reminiscence as "the act or process of recalling the past"; Pincus (1970) referred to it as "the act or habit of tfiinking about or relating past experiences, especially those considered personally most significant." Hamner (1984) stated that reminiscence is a "method of holding...