Integrating predictions derived from the self-memory system and biographic resonance theory, the current project investigated the relationship between media-induced reminiscence and appreciation. In two experiments, undergraduates consumed popular entertainment from either their early adolescence or the present day. Study 1 (N = 406) featured music, and Study 2 (N = 405) featured movies. Both studies found that memory recall was more common in response to older (vs. recent) entertainment, and the memories activated by older entertainment were happier and produced more temporal comparisons. Although appreciation was higher for older entertainment in Study 1, this effect did not replicate in Study 2. However, both studies found that appreciation was higher for content that activated memories, especially memories that were more emotional and immersive. These patterns emerged regardless of when the content was released. These findings clarify why audiences sometimes perceive meaning in lighthearted entertainment, such as pop music or superhero films.

中文翻译：

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当“无意义”意味着更多：大众娱乐的传记共鸣与观众欣赏

目前的项目结合了来自自我记忆系统和传记共振理论的预测，研究了媒体引起的回忆和欣赏之间的关系。在两项实验中，本科生从青春期早期或现在开始消费流行娱乐。研究 1 (N = 406) 以音乐为特色，研究 2 (N = 405) 以电影为特色。两项研究都发现，对于较旧的（与最近的）娱乐活动相比，记忆回忆更常见，并且较旧的娱乐活动激活的记忆更快乐，并且产生了更多的时间比较。尽管在研究 1 中对旧式娱乐的欣赏程度更高，但这种效果在研究 2 中并未复制。然而，两项研究都发现，对激活记忆的内容的欣赏程度更高，尤其是那些更加情绪化和身临其境的记忆。无论内容何时发布，这些模式都会出现。这些发现阐明了为什么观众有时会在轻松的娱乐中感知意义，例如流行音乐或超级英雄电影。