Memories and September 11

Where were you when...

This is the generation-defining question. For most of my life it has ended with ...Kennedy was shot. I wasn't alive for that one, so by the time I was a teenager it ended with ...the Challenger exploded. Of course today the generation-defining question ends with ...you heard about 9/11.

Scientific American ran an article online earlier this week that deals with Memories of September 11. Why memories are so vivid and how much we can trust the detail. The article is linked below:

How Accurate Are Memories of 9/11

Coping With Memory Loss

This video shows a unique way of coping with amnesia.  The woman in this video lost memory several years ago because of a rare virus that damaged her hippocampus.  The video describes how she is coping through a new use of an old technology.

Did You Notice?

Several classes watched this video today and yesterday.  If we didn't watch it in your class, give it a look and see how you do.  If you've seen it already, try it out on your parents or siblings and see if they get it.

Something Strange Happened Today

If you were in my Psychology class yesterday or today, something odd happened.  For some of you it was a disruption by another adult who you may or may not know.  For others, it was an odd theft in the classroom.  You probably won't trust me at all by the end of the year, but yes, it was a set up.  The question now, how much of the event will you remember.  We'll find out in class, but for now, read this and decide just how accurate you think your memory really is: http://www.acfnewsource.org/science/false_memories.html