CLOA - Discuss how social/cultural factors affect a cognitive process

Question 1

social factor + cultural factor + cognitive process

Answer 1

cognitive process: memory (specifically FBMs)

social: how social sharing affects memory retention
cultural: differences in maintenance of FBMS between individualistic/collectivistic cultures

Question 2

flashbulb memory

Answer 2

• a vivid memory of the circumstances in which one learns of a very surprising/consequential emotional event
• NOT the event itself but the memory of its reception context

Question 3

how are FBMs formed?

Answer 3

Julians et al. (2009): there’s evidence that the emotionality of a public news event can cause FBMs

Question 4

importance of social sharing in maintaining FBMs

Answer 4

Luminet et al. (2000):

• overt rehearsal occurs primarily through social sharing
• emotion influences the extent to which the memory is rehearsed and shared
• the more intense the emotional experience, the more social sharing is elicited

Question 5

effect of individualist/collectivist cultures on the maintenance of FBMs

Answer 5

Wang and Aydin (2008):

• individualist societies encourage expression and sharing of emotions
• collectivist societies view expressing negative emotion as dangerous and discourage reflection of internal states

Basabe & Ros (2005): collectivist societies report:

• lower levels of emotions
• lower levels of mental rumination
• less social sharing of emotion