A Reevaluation of canonical categories in flashbulb memories

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to reevaluate the canonical categories in flashbulb memories defined by Brown and Kulik (1977). Also, the present study is aimed to examine the relationship between canonical categories and event type, consequentiality, event memory, and cue type. It was predicted that canonical categories will differ for personal and public events. Also, regardless of the event type, type of canonical categories remembered is expected to be related to the cue type. Furthermore, a relation between canonical categories and consequentiality and event memory is predicted. The data for the study was gathered from the participant who attended university entrance exam in 1998, 1999, and 2000. The cancellation of the university entrance exam in 1999, September, 11 events in 2001 and bombing of the HSBC Bank in 2003 were used as events for flashbulb memories. A questionnaire for flashbulb memory, a consequentiality questionnaire and an event memory questionnaire was used. The results revealed that there was difference between 1998, 1999 and 2000 groups in terms of word counts, number of canonical categories remembered and flashbulb memory scores for personal events. It was found that the number and types of the canonical categories were affected by the event type, consequentiality, and being affected by the event. No significant effects were found for cue type.