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what is a flashbulb memory?
what is an example of one?
A special type of emotional memory
The term was coined because people would report vivid and detailed memories of shocking, traumatic, or impactful events (ex. 9/11, Jan 6th, assassination of JFK or MLK)
It feels as if a flashbulb picture of the event was taken by your mind (like a perfect picture was taken in your brain of the moment it happened, and that picture-perfect representation stayed perfect/accurate forever)
How does the brain handle the consolidation of emotional memories (compared to non-emotional ones)?
Would memory over time be better, the same, or worse for the emotional memories involving the amygdala?
There is increased levels of activation of the amygdala for emotional memories which results in higher rates of consolidation
lower rate of forgetting when compared to non-emotional ones
Memories would be BETTER for the emotional memories involving the amygdala
What does research on flashbulb memories look like? what are the results?
Background:
Two tests: recall tests on flashbulb vs everyday memories
Results
Details: BOTH everyday and flashbulb memories decline in number of details recalled
Belief: Confidence rating in accuracy was HIGH for flashbulb memory but LOW for everyday memories
Why might we see a normal rate of forgetting or details of “flashbulb memories” (memories of 9/11) rather than a slower rate of forgetting compared to the non-emotional memories?
why might people remain relatively more confident about their flashbulb memories despite them not being particularly accurate?
