Flashbulb memory: - When an event is highly shocking or surprising - Maintain these memories by overt rehearsal or covert rehearsal - Result in much more vivid and accurate recall of the event - Involve a special neuromechanism, trigger different neuro pathways within the brain - Stored in the amygdala, rather than the hippocampus
Strengths of Flashbulb Memory
Explains why memory with higher level of emotional connection is remembered better.
Studies that disproves FBM failed to show immediacy between the event and the subject.
The theory can, to some extent, explain why very emotional memories are often more vividly remembered over time, but it cannot explain why these memories are often no more accurate than any other memory (except perhaps for some central details).
The theory has generated many research studies and the theory has been modified. The idea that emotional events are better remembered than non-emotional events is supported, but modified with the idea that the event should have specific personal relevance.
Weaknesses of Flashbulb Memory
Many studies disprove the existence of Flashbulb memory.
Better recall may be due to multiple rehearsals.
An FM is a “reconstructed memory” where the emotional importance of the event may influence the way the memory is reconstructed – particularly if it is discussed with other people over time (confabulation) or if the memory does not have particular personal relevance.