Talarico & Rubin (2003)

Aim

To investigate the reliability of FBM’s over time

Sample

Undergrad. university students from New York

Procedure

1. Contacted the day after 9/11 → asked to participate in the study

2. Asked general questions about 9/11 (e.g., who gave them the news)

3. Asked to recall an everyday memory prior to 9/11

4. Divided into groups for next recall: 1 week, 6 weeks, or 32 weeks

5. Recall both the everyday memory and the FBM with same questions

Findings

• Over time, both the FBM and everyday memory decayed and eroded.

• Participants reported a recall as vivid as during the original one for the FBM

• Participants believed their recall of more shocking memories were more accurate, though this was not the case

Conclusion

FBMs are not more vivid or accurate as everyday memories, but are believed to be.

Strengths

+ comparison to everyday memory → internal validity

+ Ecological validity
+ Semi-structured interviews → additional insights

Weaknesses

- independent measures design → participant variability, different memories

- other variables may have interfered

- gender bias 40 female, 14 male participants