Flashbulb memory Originally described by Brown Kulik 1977

Flashbulb memory Originally described by Brown & Kulik (1977): • • Exceptionally vivid memories Usually of important events with emotional significance Resistant to forgetting over time Debate centres on whether they are a special case, or the same as other memories ww. psychlotron. or •

Flashbulb memory Typical ‘flashbulb’ events are dramatic, unexpected, shocking • • E. g. disasters, deaths of prominent figures (esp. if unexpected), momentous events World Trade Centre Kennedy, Princess Diana Fall of Berlin Wall ww. psychlotron. or •

Flashbulb memory • • Where you were What you were doing How you were informed How you reacted How others around you reacted ww. psychlotron. or •

Flashbulb memory Surveys about dramatic events: • • Brown & Kulik (1977) found US PPs tended to have vivid memories of political assassinations All PPs good recall of Kennedy, Black PPs better recall of Medgar Evers (civil rights worker) Shows importance of relevance Shock, arousal also important ww. psychlotron. or •

Flashbulb memory Challenges to concept of FBM: • • Neisser (1988) compared PPs recall of Challenger disaster after 2 days and 2 years Found all accounts had changed over time, some were ‘wildly inaccurate’ ww. psychlotron. or •

Flashbulb memory Platania & Hertkorn (1998) – recall for death of Princess Diana consistency confidence Diana everyday Diana Imm. weeks 10 ww. psychlotron. or •

Flashbulb memory Squire (2000) – recall of OJ Simpson verdict 100% Highly accurate Contained major distortions 50% 0% 1 mo 12 mo 15 mo 3 years ww. psychlotron. or •

Flashbulb memories • Relatively little evidence for FMBs 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 ww. psychlotron. or •