Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2016
Children's memory for trauma and positive experiences
Lucy Berliner1, Ira Hyman, Ayanna Thomas
1University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. lucyb@u.washington.edu
Abstract:
Characteristics of children's memory for a trauma and for a positive event were compared and relationships of memory characteristics to trauma symptoms examined in 30 children who experienced a traumatic event. Results revealed that memories for trauma tended to have less sensory detail and coherence, yet have more meaning and impact than did memories for positive experiences. Sexual traumas, offender relationship, and perceived life threat were associated with memory characteristics. Few relationships between memory characteristics and trauma symptoms were found. Therapist ratings of child memory characteristics were correlated with some child trauma memory characteristic reports. These results are consistent with other studies. Possible explanations include divided attention during the traumatic event and cognitive avoidance occurring after the event.
Related Concept Videos
Traumatic Memory
Flashbulb Memory
Autobiographical Memory
Repressed Memory
False Memories
One primary source of false memories is misattribution, where individuals incorrectly associate external information with...
Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory

