Flashbulb Memories for Expected Events: A Test of the Emotional-Integrative Model

Flashbulb memories (FBMs) are vivid, long-lasting and consistent recollections for the reception context of shocking and unexpected public news. Only a few studies have assessed FBMs for predictable events. in the present Study the emotional-integrative model is considered to account for FBMs for an expected event, that is, the death of President Mitterrand, across two national groups, that are, French and Belgian citizens. Results showed that FBMs can develop for an expected event: they are affected by its emotional impact and subsequent rehearsal, while surprise did not play a role in their formation. The emotional-integrative model was confirmed as a promising tool to model datasets on FBMs. It holds for both subsamples, with a better parsimony for Belgian respondents' data. Implications for the debate about the nature of FBMs are discussed. Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.