Berntsen and Thomsen (2005)

PPS

145 older Danes. Control group of 65 from Aarhus university, Denmark

Results

97% of PPS reported vivid memories for the invasion and liberation. The older PPS remembered context-related details such as the weather, relatively accurately; younger control group refrained from answering. PPS with reported ties to the resistance movement had more vivid, detailed and accurate memories than did PPS without such ties.

Aim

Investigate accuracy and clarity of flashbulb memories related to WWII

Procedure

PPS filled out questionnaire and asked for memories of reception of the news of the Danish occupation and liberation during WW2; specifically if they remembered where they were and what they were doing when they first learned the news. Then asked to describe their personal context and include as many details as possible.

Link back: (FBM) influence of emotion on cognitive processes

Supportive of FB memory; could recall memories from 60 years ago (long-lasting), vividly, detailed and rather accurately about the reception of emotionally arousing news related to WW2. PPS who had greater personal consequentiality relating to the event remembered more details with greater accuracy. PPS recalled high emotion; e.g. surprise, and were also able to recall a lot of vivid and accurately detailed information --> more emotion=more detailed memory(FBM)