When were participants' memories for the images assessed in the Canli study?

In the Canli study, participants' memories for the images were assessed three weeks after they initially viewed them. This timing was crucial for examining the effects of emotional arousal on memory retention. By assessing memory after this period, the researchers could analyze whether the emotional intensity associated with the images would enhance memory recall compared to neutral images. The three-week interval allowed for a sufficient duration to evaluate long-term memory retention rather than immediate recall, which could be influenced by more transient factors such as short-term memory processes or recency effects. This approach helped demonstrate the study's primary hypothesis about the link between emotion and memory retention over a more extended period, providing insights into how emotional experiences can shape our memories.