Flashbulb Memory IB Syllabus Says Evaluate one theory

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 Mc. Closkey 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 Mc. Closkey’s (1988) study flashbulb memory, evaluate how flashbulb memory influences the cognitive process of memory. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Questions to check your understanding 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 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 Mc. Closkey 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. • 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 f. MRI study + Evaluation • Counter claims – Mc. Closkey (1988) + Evaluation.