John N. Bohannon III

A Look Inside Evolutionary Memory: Survival Threats: What Cancer Diagnoses, Car Accidents, and Childhood Injuries Have in Common from an Autobiographical Memory Perspective John N. Bohannon III

Consequentiality, affect, and rehearsal are also important components that help contribute to the recall of autobiographical memories. Traditionally, these features have been assessed in public dramatic events in the past such as the 9/11 terrorist attack. In opposition to these traditionally studied events, the present study examined the effects of these features on different private events. An analysis of these different experiences was assessed to determine the role of consequentiality, affect, and rehearsal on memory recall. These components were assessed in five different events. Adults diagnosed with a cancer were examined and compared to adults who heard about their child?s injury (Hillman et al., 2010), adults who viewed their child?s injury (Hillman et al., 2010), adults who experienced a car accident ( Shaneyfelt, Minor, & Bohannon, 2008), and adults who experienced an injury during their childhood (Hillman et al., 2010). Cancer diagnosis memories yielded the highest memory detail and recounts, but the lowest vividness ratings. This finding sheds light on how the method of information input plays different roles in both memory quality and quantity.