Elizabeth Phelps - Emotion and Memory

Elizabeth Phelps discusses how emotion influences memory, highlighting that emotional events often lead to stronger memories for central details but not necessarily for peripheral ones. Using 9/11 as an example, she explains that while people feel confident in their memories of such events, details often change over time. This dissociation between perceived accuracy and actual memory accuracy is a key aspect of emotional memory.

What is one effect of emotional arousal on memory?

• It has no effect on memory.

• It weakens the memory storage.

• It erases the memory.

• It strengthens the memory storage.

How do people generally remember central details of emotional events?

• They confuse them with other events.

• They remember them vaguely.

• They remember them very strongly.

• They often forget them.

What is a common misconception about memories of emotional events?

• People think they remember only the surrounding details.

• People feel their memories are accurate even when details change.

• People believe their memories are inaccurate.

• People think they forget everything.

What percentage of details about 9/11 memories changed over time?

• 75%

• 50%

• 25%

• 10%

What is the relationship between emotion and memory accuracy?

• Emotion always makes memories more accurate.

• Emotion can enhance the feeling of accuracy even if details are wrong.

• Emotion has no impact on memory accuracy.

• Emotion makes all details equally memorable.