Date of Award
4-29-2010
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Thesis
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Recollections of first and most recent sex experiences were examined as personal flashbulb memories (FBM) using "open" narrative and probed recall estimates over the course of two studies. Furthermore, dimensions of gender, personality, and sexual attitudes were analyzed for their effects on sexual memory. Although both experiences were rated as equally arousing, the first sexual experience occurred with a longer delay to test and was talked about more than three times as much as the most recent experience. However, memories for most recent sexual experiences were rated as more vivid in study II. Yet, first sexual memories contained more narrative memory features than most recent memories. Personality and sexual attitudes did correlate with aspects of behavior and gender, but did not display an effect on memory. Finally, only minor effects of gender were found concerning memory. These results are discussed within the framework ofFBM and human sexuality research.
Recommended Citation
Comotto, Nicholas Ryan, "Memories for sexual encounters: Sexual attitudes, personality, gender, and evidence for personal flashbulb effects" (2010). Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection. 68.
https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/ugtheses/68