Flashbulb memories? The effects of when the initial memory report was obtained

Why have some researchers found reports of flashbulb memories to be stable, while others have observed inconsistencies? Paradoxically, it appears that relatively long delays between event and initial documentation have produc ed greater consistency of participants' reports. To investigate this direct ly, we collected the initial documentation of hearing about O.J. Simpson's acquittal either five hours or one week after the acquittal was read. Obser ved consistency of memories varied as a function of documentation time; fol lowing an eight-week retention, the delayed reports were more consistent. T he delayed group also reported fewer propositions in their initial document ation. We proposed a consolidation model to explain these results: during t he days immediately following a newsworthy event, the narrative structure o f these memories changes in that some details are forgotten. After this con solidation period, the memories may solidify, Thus, it may have been easier for the delayed group to provide consistent memories at the two intervals.