Question

First, chose one memory from your lifetime; it should be either your earliest childhood memory or some type of flashbulb memory (car accident, first kiss, natural disaster, etc.). Every person has an earliest memory (although the age differs dramatically) and everyone has experienced some form of major life event that left a flashbulb image on their brain so doing this should not be difficult.

With your memory in mind, briefly describe the moment and what you remember of it. Pay particular attention to who was there, what was going on, what the room looked like, the exact words that were said, etc. Use your imagination to help you visualize the scene; relive the experience several times if necessary to improve your description of the moment. Try to use your own memory to retrieve that time period rather than deferring to relatives or friends that were also present.

After you have a very solid memory and description of the event written down, critically analyze the memory for aspects that don’t make sense or that could be the result of false memory or misinformation. For example, do you remember watching a cartoon that didn’t start until years later or do you visualize the scene from a perspective that is different from your actual location during the moment (i.e., 3rd person perspective)? After you have a list of questionable details, ask a friend or relative that was also present to recount the moment. Does their memory differ from yours? Can they confirm or refute any portions of your memory (especially those that made the list of questionable details)? Conclude by discussing how much of the memory you think was false and why you think that.



This can be done within 2-3 pages, double-spaced. Cite any sources you use in APA style.

Answer 1

Answer: Your welcome!

Step-by-step explanation:

My earliest childhood memory is of when I was two years old and my parents took me to a local carnival for the first time. I remember the bright colors of the rides, the smells of popcorn and cotton candy, and the sound of children's laughter. My parents were both there with me, and I recall my father carrying me around on his shoulders. I can still visualize the room as if it was yesterday. The sky was overcast and grey, and there was a faint smell of rain in the air. The carnival was surrounded by trees and the Ferris wheel was the tallest and brightest thing in sight.

As I look back on this memory, I have some doubts as to the accuracy of certain details. For example, I remember the sky being grey and overcast, but my father has since told me that the day was actually sunny and bright. I also remember being carried around on my father’s shoulders, but that could be a false memory as I was only two years old and quite small.

To confirm or refute any of my questionable details, I asked my father if he remembered the day at the carnival. He confirmed that it was a sunny day, not grey and overcast like I had remembered. However, he couldn’t confirm whether or not I had been carried around on his shoulders, as he said it was possible but he couldn’t remember for sure.

Overall, I think a good portion of my memory is false, likely because I was so young at the time and my memory was not yet fully developed. Even though I asked my father to help me confirm or refute the details, he could not remember everything, so I think that further confirms my belief that much of this memory is false.