“What do you remember about Chernobyl?” A new test of memory for media–mediated events

Abstract.

We devised a new test for assessing remote memory for media–mediated events, i.e. events that are reported by and known through the media. The test consists of a verbal questionnaire covering famous events that occurred over a long period of time, from 1976 to 2000, specifically designed for use with the Italian population. A free recall procedure was adopted which makes use of progressive cues. The test can be easily updated for inclusion of future events. Normative and testretest reliability data are presented. The test provides a new tool for assessing media–mediated memory whenever an extensive assessment of retrograde memory performance is required, both in normal people and in brain–damaged patients.