Reliability of Human Memory
The reliability of human memory, though typically seen as quite accurate and trust-worthy, has been questioned by researchers in recent decades. In particular, one area of memory that has raised questioning is emotional memories that are extraordinarily vivid and detailed, which were first referred to as ‘flashbulb memories’ in 1977 by Roger Brown and James Kulik, which occur due to powerful events such as the death of Princess Diana, and the terrorist attacks on 9/11. These memories are not as reliable as perceived, and do not provide accurate details of past events reliably. This can be seen in the following two journal articles; one which looks at memory recollection after 9/11 occurred over 3 different time periods, straight after, 1 year after and 3 years after, and the other looks at the flashbulb memories produced after the nuclear attacks in Japan in 1999. It is important to adopt the idea that flashbulb memories do not provide accurate details of past events reliably, and more so look at them just like every other memory.
The first journal article examines long-term retention of memory from the tragedy that is the terrorist attacks of September 11. The study had over 3000 individuals from seven US cities report on their learning of the attacks, as well as details about the attack, one week, 11 months and 35 months after the assault. The following were focused on in the study: “ (1) the long-term retention of flashbulb and event memories, (2) the comparative retention of emotional reactions with the retention of other features of a flashbulb event, (3) possible difference in the underlying processing associated with the formation and retention of flashbulb and event memories, and (4) the factors that shape long-term retention, including the role of memory practices. “ (Hirst W. Et al, 2009, para. 3)
The study was conducted simply through 3 similarly designed surveys for the different time periods, with the first 6 questions relating to developing
The first journal article examines long-term retention of memory from the tragedy that is the terrorist attacks of September 11. The study had over 3000 individuals from seven US cities report on their learning of the attacks, as well as details about the attack, one week, 11 months and 35 months after the assault. The following were focused on in the study: “ (1) the long-term retention of flashbulb and event memories, (2) the comparative retention of emotional reactions with the retention of other features of a flashbulb event, (3) possible difference in the underlying processing associated with the formation and retention of flashbulb and event memories, and (4) the factors that shape long-term retention, including the role of memory practices. “ (Hirst W. Et al, 2009, para. 3)
The study was conducted simply through 3 similarly designed surveys for the different time periods, with the first 6 questions relating to developing
References: Hirst W, et al., (2010) Long-term memory for the terrorist attack of September 11: Flashbulb memories, event memories, and the factors that influence their retention, J Exp Psychol Gen. May 2009; 138(2): 161-176, DOI: 10.1037/a0015527 Lilienfeld S., et al., (2012) Psychology - From Inquiry to Understanding, Chapter 8, p 328-338 , NSW, Pearson Otani H, et al., (2005) Remembering a nuclear accident in Japan: Did it trigger flashbulb memories?, Memory, 13:1, 6-20, DOI: 10.1080/09658210344000495