How long does this quiz take?

This quiz takes about two minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz tell me if nostalgia is affecting my decisions?

This test highlights how strongly the past influences your present thinking, which may help identify when nostalgia shapes judgment.

Can my results help me better understand my emotional patterns?

Yes. Your results can offer insight into how memory, emotion, and sentimentality interact in your daily life.

This psychology-based nostalgia test measures how deeply your emotional connection to the past influences your present thoughts, feelings, and decisions.

Nostalgia Scale

When fond memories help you grow—and when they quietly hold you back.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 22, 2025

Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Nostalgia is a powerful emotional experience that connects us to meaningful memories, relationships, and moments from our past. While nostalgia can foster a sense of continuity and emotional comfort, it can also influence how we interpret the present and make decisions about the future. The Nostalgia Scale explores how frequently and intensely you engage in nostalgic thought.

This assessment is adapted from academic research examining sentimentality and nostalgia as measurable psychological traits. By reflecting on how strongly the past shapes your current outlook, this scale can help you better understand patterns such as idealizing earlier life periods or relying on past experiences when navigating uncertainty.

If nostalgia feels emotionally regulating for you, it may relate to traits measured in the Fear of Missing Out Scale or the Mistake Rumination Scale, which examine how time orientation and reflection impact emotional well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: This quiz takes about two minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Nostalgia Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Nostalgia Scale results may have changed.
Will this quiz tell me if nostalgia is affecting my decisions?: This test highlights how strongly the past influences your present thinking, which may help identify when nostalgia shapes judgment.
Can my results help me better understand my emotional patterns?: Yes. Your results can offer insight into how memory, emotion, and sentimentality interact in your daily life.

Nostalgia Scale: Take The 7-Item Test

Step 1: Rate Your Nostalgic Tendencies

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. I think about the past often.

2. The past is very important to me.

3. My feelings about my past are a large part of my present outlook.

4. When I think about the past, I well up with positive emotions.

5. I am more sentimental than most people I know.

6. If people knew my past, they would view me favorably.

7. I long to return to a simpler time.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Nostalgia Scale Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Gergov, T., & Stoyanova, S. (2013). Sentimentality and nostalgia in elderly people: Psychometric properties of a new questionnaire. Psychological Thought, 6(2).

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.