The DOI matches its Crossref record; 21 of the 21 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Memory Distortions Develop Over Time: Recollections of the O.J. Simpson Trial Verdict After 15 and 32 Months
Abstract
Fifteen or 32 months after the verdict was announced in the O.J. Simpson murder trial, we asked college students about how they had heard the news, and we compared their responses with what they had told us 3 days after the verdict. Our study is the first to have assessed recollective accuracy at two different intervals more than 1 year after a noted public event. The quality of the recollections after 32 months was strikingly different from the quality of the recollections after 15 months. After 15 months, 50% of the recollections were highly accurate, and only 11% contained major errors or distortions. After 32 months, only 29% of the recollections were highly accurate, and more than 40% contained major distortions. Retention interval appears to be an important factor determining the frequency of memory distortions, and differences in the retention interval across studies may account for some of the contradictions in the flashbulb-memory literature. Metamemory errors and source memory difficulties are a likely basis of poor memory performance after long retention intervals. The results highlight the marked qualitative changes in recollections that can occur between 1 and 3 years after information has been acquired.
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“No statistical methods were used to predetermine sample sizes, but our sample sizes are comparable to or larger than those reported in previous studies on long-term memory consolidation23,24.”
From Long-term Memory Reorganization of Navigational Episodes (2026) · cites this paper as [23]
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Hirst, W. C., Koppel, J., & Meksin, R. (2013) · doi:10.1093/obo/9780199828340-0071
(2014) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-408087-4.00020-7
Willingham, D. T., & Riener, C. R. (2019) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781316271988.018
Ulric Neisser's contribution to the study of autobiographical memory accuracy
Sotgiu, I. (2022) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.4006
Refugee Status Determinations and the Limits of MemoryPreprint
Cameron, H. E. (2023) · doi:10.32920/22348855.v1
Refugee Status Determinations and the Limits of MemoryPreprint
Cameron, H. E. (2023) · doi:10.32920/22348855
Pais, M. E. M., Deus, J. E. R., Souto, P. M. I., & Ares, E. M. T. (2023) · Children · doi:10.3390/children10050881
المطيري, ي. ح. (2017) · مجلة الحقوق. · doi:10.34120/jol.v41i3.2287
Mullick, K., Tidwell, C. A., & Mehl, M. R. (2024) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.70019
MASS MEDIA EFFECTS ON FLASHBULB MEMORIES: VIVID MEMORIES OF SEPTEMBER 11TH
Bor, S. E. (2010) · California State University ScholarWorks (system-wide DSpace)
Lemarie-Quillerier, S. (2021) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/121ea67ez8d9dz497az902azcc55ba8c40d2
A Rapid Review on Using Memory Palace Techniques in Virtual Reality for Memory Assessment
Şahın, H. İ., & Kavsaoğlu, A. R. (2026) · GAZI UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE · doi:10.35378/gujs.1698289
Video, text, and memory: An emotional verbal overshadowing effect
Demaree, H. A., Lim, R., Merner, A. R., Dahnke, C. N., & Radvansky, G. A. (2026) · Memory & Cognition · doi:10.3758/s13421-025-01840-8
Emotional autobiographical memory
Wardell, V., & Palombo, D. J. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-33040-7.00015-4
Autobiographical memory in the courtroom: the contribution of flashbulb memory studies
Curci, A., & Lanciano, T. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-33040-7.00020-8
Observers’ Moral Elevation and Helping Behavior Following a Leader's Mistreatment of a Coworker
Korman, B. A., Tröster, C., & Giessner, S. R. (2026) · Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies · doi:10.1177/15480518261490799
Consistency, Consolidation, and Cognition in Autobiographical Memories: a Flashbulb Memory Approach
Kraha, A. (2013) · University of North Texas Digital Library (University of North Texas) · doi:10.12794/metadc271846
Whose Language? Memory, the Body and Discursive Practices
Fischer, K. (2009) · BRILL eBooks · doi:10.1163/9789004253209_012
Metadata
- Authors
- Schmolck, H., Buffalo, E. A., & Squire, L. R.
- Affiliations
- Department of Psychiatry
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Venue
- Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2000-01
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 39-45
- ISSN
- 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-9280
- OpenAlex
- W2162591179
- Cited by
- 219
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 3.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (1z01mh002460-04)
- National Institute on Aging (2T32AG00216, T32AG000216)
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH2460)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Keywords
- memory distortion, flashbulb memory, O.J. Simpson trial, retention interval, source memory, long-term memory, eyewitness memory
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Crime, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Public Opinion, Time Factors, Multimedia
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