Characteristics of Autobiographical Memory
What is Autobiographical Memory?
Memory for events and issues related to oneself.
What is a schema in memory processing?
A structured framework of knowledge based on past experiences.
What is a flashbulb memory?
A vivid and detailed memory of a significant event.
What is source monitoring in memory recall?
The ability to determine the origin of a memory.
Why is eyewitness testimony often unreliable?
Memory is reconstructive and influenced by external factors.
What distinguishes episodic memory from autobiographical memory?
All episodic memories are autobiographical, but not all autobiographical memories are episodic.
How do schemas help organize past experiences?
They allow efficient recall by filling in missing details.
What was the key finding from the Brown & Kulik (1977) study on flashbulb memories?
People recall where they were and who they were with during significant events.
How does wishful thinking bias affect source monitoring?
We tend to remember sources of positive information more accurately.
What is the post-event misinformation effect?
Exposure to misleading information after an event can alter memory recall.
Why do people sometimes make errors in recalling past events?
Memory is constructive and influenced by schemas.
What is consistency bias, and how does it affect memory recall?
The tendency to exaggerate the similarity between past and present beliefs.
How do personal relevance and rehearsal affect flashbulb memories?
The more we rehearse, the stronger and more detailed the memory becomes.
What happens when someone mistakes the origin of a memory?
They may misattribute it to another source, leading to false memories.
What happened in the Loftus (1978) stop/yield sign study?
Participants mistakenly recalled a stop sign after being misled with false information.
What is the role of ecological validity in memory research?
It ensures that findings apply to real-world settings
What research study demonstrated that people often overestimate past assertiveness?
Honig (1997) study on garment worker strike.
According to research, do flashbulb memories remain accurate over time?
No, they become distorted even though confidence remains high.
What research study found that people often plagiarize unknowingly?
Marsh et al. (1997) on source monitoring errors.
How does weapon focus effect influence eyewitness accuracy?
People focus on a weapon, reducing attention to other details.
How does constructive memory impact autobiographical recall?
We blend information from different sources, sometimes altering details.
Why do people unconsciously alter past memories to align with current beliefs?
Schemas shape our interpretation of past events.
What did Talarico & Rubin (2003) discover about the accuracy of 9/11 memories?
Consistency decreased over time, but confidence remained high.
What is reality monitoring, and how is it different from source monitoring?
Reality monitoring distinguishes between real and imagined events, while source monitoring tracks origins of memories.
What are two major causes of wrongful convictions related to memory errors?
Eyewitness misidentification and post-event misinformation.