Flashbulb Memory Flashcards
What is flashbulb memory?
A highly deatiled, exceptionally vivid ‘snapshot’ of the moment when a surprising and emotionally arousing even happened.
What is cognitive psychology?
The influence of emotion in how the brain memorises various experiences.
How does emotion influence memory?
Encoding, storage and retrieval of information are possibly influenced by emotional state at the time of the memory, impacting the way it is stored and the ability to recall details of the memory.
What is the ‘special biological memory mechanism’?
When triggered by an event exceeding critical levels of surprise, creates a permanent record of the details and circumstances surrounding the experience.
What is the role of the amygdala in emotions?
- Part of limbic brain- responsible for emtions, survival instincts and memory.
- Inclusion is heavily debated as there is evidence amygdala functions independently of the limbic system.
Strengths
- Research has confirmed rthat emotion affects memory, and the more emotional an event, the more vividly it is remembered.
- Research conducted by Phelps demonstrates that the amygdala plays a role in flashbulb memory, demonstrating the existence of the ‘special biological memory mechanism’.
- Explains why emotional events are more memorable.
- Theory has been modified to say the event must have personal relevancy.
Limitations
- Only personally relevant experiences witnessed first-hand are likely to be remembered as flashbulb memories.
- Even when people are highly confident in their flashbulb memories, they are sometimes not accurate or consistent.
- Does not fully account for the reconstructive nature of memory.
What is remembered in a flashbulb memory?
- Place (where they were when the incident hapened)
- Ongoing activity (what they were doing)
- Informant (who broke the news)
- Own affect (how they felt)
- Others’ affect ( how others felt)
- Aftermath (importance of event)
