flashbulb memory

flashbulb memory

a vivid and detailed memory from an emotionally significant or suprising event

amygdala

a brain region that helps form emotionally charged memories

repression

is when the mid hides away painful or trumatic memories without us knowing , to potect us from stress

Mood-dependent Memory:

memories encoded during an specific emotional state , will easily recall when we experience the same emotions

Neisser & Harsch (1992) aim

to test the reliability of flashbulb memory for a shocking event ( challeger disaster )

Neisser & Harsch (1992) sample

106 university psychology students

Neisser & Harsch (1992) procedure

participants were given a questionarie about how they heard of the challenger disaster within 24 hours , they were tested again 2.5 later , answering the same questions and rating their confidence in their memory accuracy

Neisser & Harsch (1992) results

although particpants expreseed a high level of confidence in the accuracy of their memory they were some inconsistencies between their original accounts and thoses given years later , many details had been changed or been forgotten

Neisser & Harsch (1992) conclusion

flashbulb memory may feel vivid and accurate but they are not always reliable

Neisser & Harsch (1992) strenghts

high ecological validity / Longitudinal design shows memory changes over time.

Neisser & Harsch (1992) limitations

No control over memory rehearsal between tests / low generalizability

McGaugh & Cahill (1995) aim

to investigate the role of emotion and amygdala in the creation of flashbulb memory

McGaugh & Cahill (1995) sample

two groups of participants

McGaugh & Cahill (1995) procedure

participants where divided into two groups and they where provided by 12 slides one group provided by a mundane story and the other one by emotionally arousing story , two weeks later they did a recognition task to test to test their memory also they did a follow up study where participants where injected by beta blocker which blocks the target cells for the hormones

McGaugh & Cahill (1995) results

The emotionally arousing group recalled significantly more details.
Those who received the beta-blocker remembered less, showing the amygdala’s role in emotional memory

McGaugh & Cahill (1995) conclusion

emotions enhances memory and plays a role in creation of flashbulb memory particularly the amygdala activation

McGaugh & Cahill (1995) strenghts

high internal validity / application value ( biological evidence thet strenghthens the FBM theory )

McGaugh & Cahill (1995) limitations

low ecological validity / Ethical concerns with beta-blockers and emotional manipulation.