Flashbulb Memory

Flashbulb Memory IB Syllabus Says: Evaluate one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process (i.e. How flashbulb memory theory explains the influence of emotion on memory )

Introduction: • The interaction between emotion and the cognitive process of memory can be seen through research into flashbulb memory. • There is evidence to suggest that emotion plays a significant role in memory, and the amygdala appears to play an important role in emotional responses… thus having an impact on memory. • However, the debate still centers around whether flashbulb memories are a special kind or memory, or just as unreliable as other types of memory.

Flashbulb memory: Definition • This phenomenon was originally described by Brown & Kulik (1977) and they defined them as: • Exceptionally vivid memories • Usually of important events with emotional significance • Resistant to forgetting over time • The debate centres on whether they are a special case, or the same as other memories

What qualifies as a flashbulb memory? • Typical ‘flashbulb’ events are dramatic, unexpected, shocking • E.g. disasters, deaths of prominent figures (esp. if unexpected), momentous events. E.g. • Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre • Death of Kennedy, Princess Diana • Fall of Berlin Wall

What is remembered in a Flashbulb Memory? These are the aspects that Brown and Kulick (1977) propose are remembered vividly for flashbulb memories: • Where you were? • What you were doing? • How you were informed? • How you reacted? • How others around you reacted? They propose that there is a biological memory mechanism which leads to these exceptionally vivid memories

Research into Flashbulb Memory • Research consists of Interviews and surveys about dramatic events: • Brown & Kulik (1977) first to describe this type of memory, they interviewed US participants tended to have vivid memories of political assassinations • In their study, all participants had good recall of Kennedy assassination, BUT they found that black participants had a better recall of Medgar Evers (a civil rights worker) death • This shows importance of relevance of the information – culture seems to influence things • Physiological arousal may also be important (the Amydgala seems to play a key role here)

FBM: Discussion • You will work in three groups to prepare for a seminar on this topic. • Read the article and prepare to engage others in a discussion • You have 20 mins to prepare

Brown and Kulik (1977) Flashbulb Memory: Research support (80 participants)

Challenges to the concept of Flashbulb memory….. • Neisser (1982) proposed that the enduring nature of FBM is a result of rehearsal and reworking after the event • We use the conventions of storytelling recounting important events – FBMs are just as susceptible to distortion as other memories. • Its difficult to check the accuracy of flashbulb memories – nothing different about them • E.g Neisser himself was sure he was listening to the baseball when pearl harbour was bombed in WWII – but it couldn’t have been possible because it wasn’t in the baseball season • Furthermore, The McCloskey et al. (1988) study also proposes that flashbulb memories are not special memories (see key study)

Flashbulb Memory: Research criticism

Evaluation: Flashbulb memories • Relatively little evidence for FBMs as a distinct memory process • They ‘feel’ accurate (we are confident in recall) but are just as prone to forgetting & change as other episodic memories • Evidence is still mixed.

Reflection: Based on brown and Kulik’s (1977) study and McCloskey’s (1988) study flashbulb memory, evaluate how flashbulb memory influences the cognitive process of memory. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Questions to check your understanding • What is a flashbulb memory? • Which researchers first proposed the concept of flashbulb memories? • What method did Brown & Kulick (1977) use in their study? • Make two evaluative points for the Brown and Kulik (1977) study • What conclusions did McCloskey et al (1988) come to about flashbulb memories? • What did Neisser (1982) propose? • Outline some research that refers to the importance of the amygdala in memory. • What conclusion can we come to about emotion and memory by examining the research into flashbulb memories?

SAQ: • Evaluate one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process • Unpack the question – what is it asking? • What should you include? • How will you answer this type of question? • How will you structure it?

SAQ Outline.. • Explain how you will answer the question – what theory/research will you use. • The Theory - Explain what FBM Theory and ‘Now Print’ – The main question – are FBMs a special type of memory? • Support for FBM - Brown & Kulick (1977) Interview study + Evaluation • The importance of the amygdala • Phelps et al. (2004) 9/11 fMRI study + Evaluation • Counter claims – McCloskey (1988) + Evaluation. • Connect back to question – Is the FBM theory valid? In light of the research…

Flashbulb Memory