Examine what is meant by a "flashbulb memory"? Distinguish a flashbulb memory from most long-term memories. Describe its characteristics. Give an example that is well-known. Some psychologists are not impressed by these well-known examples of this phenomenon. What are some of the criticisms of the idea of flashbulb memory?

What will be an ideal response?


Flashbulb memories are memories of a surprising and highly emotional public event. It is a vivid picture in your mind of the event. While both flashbulb memories and long-term memories are easily envisioned, the image with a flashbulb memory is generally more vivid and is still accompanied by emotion when recalled. An example would be the attacks on 9/11. Unfortunately, flashbulb memories have not proven to be any more accurate than everyday memories, and they are subject to the same types of errors when they are retrieved.

Psychology

You might also like to view...

Which of the following students provides the most accurate statement about neurolinguistics research?

a. Augusto: "In right-handed people, language is processed almost exclusively by the right hemisphere." b. Heidi: "Right-handed people and left-handed people show very similar patterns of hemispheric specialization." c. Esther: "Virtually all language tasks are performed by the left hemisphere of the brain; the right hemisphere does not play a substantial role in language processing." d. Laura: "The left hemisphere handles most language tasks, but the right hemisphere processes some abstract components."

Psychology

The _____ stream travels up from the occipital lobe to the parietal lobes, connecting with brain areas coding an object's _____.

A) dorsal; location and motion B) dorsal; shape and identity C) ventral; shape and identity D) ventral; location and motion

Psychology

The dentate gyrus and Ammon's horn are both structures in the

A. hippocampus. B. amygdala. C. hypothalamus. D. cerebellum.

Psychology

What is a risk factor associated with childhood asthma?

a. postmaturity at birth b. high SES status c. parental smoking d. a BMI that is too low

Psychology