Flashbulb memories for the January 6th coup attempt. I am sure some of you may start these studies.

To distract myself from the news, an academic thread for a moment.

Flashbulb memories are constructed afterwards. They are not created in the moment. 1/11

First, let's recognize the complexity of events. When did you realize things were really bad yesterday? For me, it built for a while. I knew there were protests. I saw early video of them fighting with Capital police. Later I heard that they had entered the Capitol. 2/11

Later still I learned that counting the votes was suspended, then that the Capitol was evacuated. The news kept rolling in. When did you realize things were 'important' which is supposedly a critical feature for turning on the FB mechanism? 3/11

Two points about the complexity of events. First, Neisser argued a long time ago that we may recognize significance only later. Thus this can't be the key to creating a Flashbulb memory. 4/11

Second, Bill Brewer argued that people can make time-slice errors. They can grab different parts of the events involved in overall set of events. Both could be partially accurate, but would appear inconsistent. This occurs because events are complex. 5/11

Even granting that events are complex and we may only gradually come to recognize the importance, the memories are constructed over time. We continue to think about and gather more info. I certainly have over the last 24 hours. We also talk and share stories. 6/11

In work with Rob Winningham, a few decades ago, we found that memories mostly changed early in the process after the event. I think Bill Hirst has similar data in their large study of 9/11 memories. Eventually, people may settle into a story that becomes their narrative. 7/11

Go back to the Neisser and Harsch study of Challenger Flashbulb memories. They found changes over 2 years, yes. But from 2 to 2 and a half, almost no further changes. And people did not recognize their original reports when shown them. They denied their own memories. 8/11

So do a Flashbulb study of this. I look forward to seeing some. But consider asking for more than just the 'moment'. Recognize the event was complex. Try to track the changes over time. Expect these changes to be guided by belief systems and exposure to additional info. 9/11

The changes guided by new info could be really interesting since there will be a lot of misinformation and disinformation being spread in certain political groups over the next few days. 10/11

But finally. Flashbulb memories aren't created in the moment. They are constructed over time. The constructed memories most likely include some original info from complex events and some intrusions from misinformed. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk to distract myself today. 11/11

And one more point, for academic self promotion. With Sarah Drivdahl, we have a cool study looking at relationship memories over time. Memories change more for people who were considering an ongoing rather than a previous relationship. Continuing to gather info changes memories.