hard to draw conclusions from one
study or try to link the differences in
responses to any corresponding
factors. Across cultures the factors
that affect FBMs remain constant,
but there are cultural variations
that influence the vividness of the
recounting. Kulkofsky et al (2011)
studied the formation of FBM across
five different countries; the USA,
UK, China, Germany and Turkey.
They found that the Chinese memories were less influenced by any personal factors connected to the event.
This could be because in Asian culture there is less emphasis on individuality, so their recollections of
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FBMs show less personal connection
with the event. Age differences also
play a part in the vividness of the
memory. The younger you are the
more likely you will be to
have a strong recollection later in
life. Cohen et al (1993) examined
age related differences in FBMs.
They tested participants 11 days
after an important event and then
again 11 months later.
Less than half the adults had
a FBM of the event but nearly
all of the younger participants
did.