Flashbulb Memory Theory (FBM) - Psychology | International Baccalaureate

Flashbulb Memory Theory

Proposed by Brown and Kulik 1977.

Theory that proposes flash bulb memories are different from everyday memories in the way they’re highly detailed and a snapshot of an experience, formed when a surpising or shocking event occurs.

Flashbulb Memory

Autobiographical/Episodic Memory

Special-Mechanism Hypothesis

A theory suggested by Brown and Kulik that when an event occurs, a special biological mechanism is triggered creating a permanent detailed record in the brain.

Modern research has supported the theory such as the amygdala, playing a role in making emotional memories. However, they’re not more reliable than everyday memories because of how often they’re rehearsed.

Importance-Driven Model

Theory which emphasizes the importance of personal attachment, determining an emotional event.

Brown and Kulik (1977)

Study that shows personal significance of an event interferes with the creation of flashbulb memories.

Neisser and Harsch (1992)

Study that shows FBMs are prone to distortion, disapproving the original FBM theory that FBMs are exact replicas of events.