... suggest that such memories really are like photographs in their accuracy. Flashbulb memories are claimed to differ from 'ordinary memories' because they involve an enduring imprint of events surrounding an important incident. The imprint is both lasting and unchanging. It is not like a photograph because it does not record every part of the scene. Flashbulb memories are not accurate - Schmolck et al. (2000) investigated the events surrounding the announcement of the verdict in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. They interviewed students 3 days after the verdict and again 15 or 32 months later. After 15 months, 50% of the recollections were highly accurate and only 11% contained major errors or distortions. After 32 months, only 29% of the recollections were highly accurate, and more than 40% contained major distortions. This suggests that Flashbulb memories do decay and are not enduringly accurate - if one accepts that recall for the ...

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