Abstract

The aim of this study was to create the conditions of a real discussion concerning the past in an experimental setting and examine their effect on subsequent recollections of important autobiographical events. A total of 55 adults described two episodes twice. The first episode was a typical news reception event and the second one represented a private event of particular personal significance. In between the two recall sessions, participants from the experimental group viewed two films. The first was a short televised account of the two events; the second was a corresponding videotaped description of the personal experiences of a middle-aged man. In addition, participants were asked to imagine what he had been talking about. Most of the participants from the experimental group incorporated elements of the man's description into their own subsequent accounts. In spite of this, they rated the accuracy of their post-test memories as very high. The implications for understanding distortion mechanisms in flashbulb memories are discussed.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.