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Near-Death Experience Memories Include More Episodic Components Than Flashbulb Memories
Helena Cassol1,2, Estelle A C Bonin1,2, Christine Bastin3
1Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Frontiers in Psychology
|June 13, 2020
Summary
Near-death experience (NDE) memories contain more details and personal significance than flashbulb memories. NDE memories are central to identity, unlike flashbulb memories.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Near-death experiences (NDEs) are often recalled with exceptional vividness and perceived reality.
- The unique characteristics of NDE memories suggest potential overlap with the definition of flashbulb memories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare episodic and non-episodic details in NDE, flashbulb, and control autobiographical memories.
- To assess phenomenological characteristics and centrality of these memory types.
Main Methods:
- Interviewed 25 participants recalling NDEs in life-threatening situations.
- Administered Memory Characteristics Questionnaires and Centrality of Event Scale for NDE, flashbulb, and control memories.
Main Results:
- NDE memories contained more overall details and internal/episodic information than flashbulb and control memories.
- Flashbulb memories had lower emotional intensity, personal importance, and were less reactivated or recalled from a first-person perspective.
- NDE memories were most central to participants' identity.
Conclusions:
- NDE memories possess unique qualities, including greater detail and personal significance, distinguishing them from flashbulb memories.
- The profound impact of NDEs on identity is underscored by their high centrality in memory.
- Findings support the distinct nature and significance of near-death experience memories.
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