Confidence, not consistency, characterizes flashbulb memories

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Abstract
  • On September 12, 2001, 54 Duke students recorded their memory of first hearing about the terrorist attacks of September 11 and of a recent everyday event. They were tested again either 1, 6, or 32 weeks later. Consistency for the flashbulb and everyday memories did not differ, in both cases declining over time. However, ratings of vividness, recollection, and belief in the accuracy of memory declined only for everyday memories. Initial visceral emotion ratings correlated with later belief in accuracy, but not consistency, for flashbulb memories. Initial visceral emotion ratings predicted later posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Flashbulb memories are not special in their accuracy, as previously claimed, but only in their perceived accuracy.
TitleConfidence, not consistency, characterizes flashbulb memories
CreatorRubin, D. C.
Talarico, Jennifer M.
PublisherPsychological Science
Academic DepartmentPsychology
DivisionSocial Sciences
OrganizationLafayette College
Date IssuedSeptember 2003
Date Available2009-05-27T13:37:29Z
TypeArticle
LanguageEnglish
Bibliographic CitationTalarico, J. M. and D. C. Rubin. "Confidence, not consistency, characterizes flashbulb memories." Psychological Science 14 (5): 455-461.
Standard IdentifierHandle 10385/533
DOI 10.1111/1467-9280.02453
Permalinkhttp://hdl.handle.net/10385/533
Rights Statement In Copyright In Copyright
Rights HoldersAmerican Psychological Society
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