I find it pretty amazing how our vivid memories that we are certain occurred as we think they occurred can decay so drastically over time. The example given in the text seems to be on the extreme end of this phenomenon however, but from thinking about my own memories there isn't really a way for me to know what has changed. Most characteristics of flashbulb memories are not very surprising - things such as how they decay over time, and the fact that how dramatic or emotional an event is, the stronger and more accurate the flashbulb memory is. One thing that I found striking is how inaccurate flashbulb memories persist even when the subject is given evidence showing differences in what they remember. I feel like when someone is presented with such evidence that maybe they would have their memory "jogged" or be reminded of what really happened. In the example, however, the student was still persistent in his belief he remembered correctly - some even going so far as to say the evidence was written by someone else. Although I find flashbulb memories interesting, I also find it rather sad that our strongest and most personal or emotional memories can be so strife with inaccuracies.
Our most beloved memories - not what we remember
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How does knowing this impact your life? Should we always be so trusting of our memory?
I think this has to do with remembering this a certain way for so long, so that once you are told that it is incorrect, it's hard for you to remember the change the next time you remember the event. So if you remember specific details of an event, and are later told that those memories of the details are incorrect, it is hard for your brain to switch the details once they are in your long term memory.
This post just reminded me of the saying a picture is worth a thousand words. Like you I have nothing to compare my "flash-bulb memories" with so accuracy is nearly impossible to know. Also like you I find it hard to cope with the fact that many of my most valued memories may be corrupted. This is why I find solace in knowing that our generation is notorious for taking pictures and posting posts on Facebook and Twitter. It may be annoying, but at least we will remember it.
It's crazy how we can be so sure of something that our minds may have conjured up themselves. I found this all to be pretty disconcerting that some of my clearest memories could actually be made up. How crazy! Hopefully this doesn't cause me to doubt myself too much in the future!
replied to comment from chamb169
| May 10, 2012 8:19 PM
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I've chosen to just take it in stride, and hopefully it won't impact my life negatively. I don't think it's really something that I can filter, how could I? If some person got inserted into my memory I don't think I would have any way to know that it is inaccurate.
I agree, it's almost upsetting how some of our most certain memories can be drastically different than what actually occurred! The examples in the book reminded me of 9/11. Right now, I can recall exactly where I was, who I was with, and how I reacted when I heard the news. But how accurate is my memory of that moment really? I guess I'll never know for sure!