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2.3.1 Practice Problems 
In preparation for the life-review tasks, subjects are routinely given two practice 
problems. Those subjects who, after having worked on these two problems, still do not quite 
understand the approach, practice on a third problem. The topics of the three problems are the 
longtime experience with a vacation spot, a clothing store, and a car dealership, respectively. 
The goal of this training session is to familiarize subjects with the task of thinking about the life 
of a ficticious person and reviewing this life (re-constructing, explaining, evaluating). 
The following practice problems should prepare you to think about a ficticious 
person, and to review this person's life. As in the main task, there are no right or 
wrong answers, nor is there an end point or a definite solution. You yourself 
decide when you feel you have nothing more to say. We would like you to 
imagine a ficticious-but realistic- person, whom you may combine from many 
different sources of experience. Please do not simply use one person as a model, 
and include as many details as possible in your answer. Remember that we are 
interested in learning all about your knowledge on life matters in general." 
Practice Problem 1: Vacation 
Imagine that for several years a person has travelled to the same vacation spot with her/his 
family. One day, the person receives a letter from the local tourist bureau, thanking her/him for 
her/his loyalty to the town. This letter prompts the person to look back on the past vacations 
spent there. 
Which experiences and events might the person recall? 
How could she/he explain these events and aspects? 
How might she/he, in retrospect, evaluate the past vacations spent at this place, and why? 
Practice Problem 2: Clothing Store 
Imagine that for several years, a person has bought clothes for her/his family at the same 
clothing store. At the store's fifteenth anniversary, the person receives a letter thanking her/him 
for her/his loyalty to the store. This letter prompts the person to reflect on her/his past 
experiences with the store. 
Which experiences and events might the person recall? 
How could she/he explain these events and aspects? 
How might she/he, in retrospect, evaluate the experiences with that store, and why? 
Practice Problem 3: Car Dealership 
Imagine that for several years a person has bought her/his new car, and had it repaired, at the 
same car dealership. At the dealership's fifteenth anniversary, the person receives a letter 
thanking her/him for her/his loyalty to the dealership. This letter prompts the person to reflect 
on her/his past experiences with the dealership. 
Which experiences and events might the person recall? 
How could she/he explain these events and aspects? 
How might she/he, in retrospect, evaluate the experiences with that dealership, and why?