Phenomenological characteristics of autobiographical event memory

Controversy exists over the relationship between experiencing a subjectively distressing, or 'traumatic7, event and one's memory for it. Divergent findings from autobiographical memory studies have given rise to a debate concerning the nature of traumatic memory. Although discrepant findings may be accounted for by differing methodologies, it is more likely that they reflect the variability of trauma's association with memory. Factors relating to both the individual and to the type of event that is experienced interact in influencing a person's memory for that experience. The focus of the present study was to compare reports of memory clarity across emotionally distressing, emotionally positive, and non-emotional autobiographical events. In addition, individual difference factors were also examined in relation to memory clarity. The results indicate that factors related to both event type and individual differences are associated with one's memory for that event, and are discussed in relation to the forensic arena.