Confidence, not consistency, characterizes flashbulb memories.

Jennifer M Talarico, David C Rubin

Journal: Psychological science 2004;14(5):455-61

PMID: 12930476

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.

Address: Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.

DOI: 10.1111/1467-9280.02453

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MeSH Terms: Adolescent, Adult, Aircraft, Emotions, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Life Change Events, Male, Mental Recall, New York City, Retention, Psychology, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Terrorism