Date of Award
Fall 12-16-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department/Program
Forensic Mental Health Counseling
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Charles Stone
Second Reader
Edward Kagen
Third Advisor
Shuki Cohen
Abstract
Psychologists have only recently begun to examine the extent to which personal memories transmit across generations. When they have, they typically focus on family stories (see Merrill & Fivush, 2016) or memories of historical events (Svob & Brown, 2012). The present study extends this line of research to flashbulb memories, or memories of an individual’s circumstances when first learning about a consequential, historical event (Brown & Kulik, 1977). To this end, the present study examines the extent to which flashbulb memories surrounding the events of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 transmit to the next generation. The results suggest that flashbulb memories do transmit, this transmission is driven by the child’s conversations with the parent and these transmitted memories are associated with the child’s social identification as an American. These results are discussed in terms of the importance of understanding how and when personal memories transmit across generations and their role in shaping the next generation’s social identity.
Recommended Citation
Meyler, Shanique, "Do flashbulb memories transmit across generations? 9/11 as a case study" (2017). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/42
Included in
Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Biological Psychology Commons, Community Psychology Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Social Psychology Commons