Mass Media Effects on Flashbulb Memories: Vivid Memories of September 11th

ABSTRACT\ud MASS MEDIA EFFECTS ON FLASHBULB MEMORIES:\ud VIVID MEMORIES OF SEPTEMBER 11TH\ud by\ud Stephanie Elise Bor\ud Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies\ud Mass Communication\ud California State University, Chico\ud Spring 2010\ud The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of television images and\ud commentary on vivid memory recall for the September 11th terrorist attacks that occurred\ud in 2001. This research used the theory of flashbulb memories to explain why people possess\ud vivid and long lasting memories pertaining to the exact moment they learned about a\ud surprising and/or consequential event. The theory was first used to explain the clarity in\ud which people could recall the moment they learned about the death of President John F.\ud Kennedy in 1963. Individuals claimed to remember precise details including their exact\ud location, ongoing activity, the person or medium that informed them, their personal reaction,\ud and other specifics pertaining to the moment they learned of the assassination. The\ud present research discovered that the flashbulb memory theory could also be used to explain\ud vivid memories associated with the September 11th terrorist attacks.\ud vii\ud When examining this disaster it was also evident that the formation of memories\ud were heavily influenced by exposure to content featured on television. In reference to initial\ud content viewed, images and commentary appeared to improve respondents??? understanding\ud of the attacks and cause them to become more emotionally distressed. Exposure\ud to television content also increased realism and assisted viewers in comprehending the\ud magnitude of the crisis. Viewing subsequent news coverage since 2001 has also assisted\ud to reinforce, modify, or maintain vivid memories of September 11th. According to the results,\ud exposure to television news has continued to increase distress for viewers by causing\ud them to become more angry, fearful, sad, and suspicious. Television has also increased\ud contempt with the American government over time.CSU, Chic