Learning Outcome: Evaluate one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process (for
example, state-dependent memory, flashbulb memory, and affective filters).
Introduction: The cognitive level of analysis aims to study the inner processes of the mind and how cognitive processes guide behavior. As such, within this level of analysis, emotion has been investigated in terms of its cognitive influences. One theory of how emotion may affect the cognitive process of memory is Flashbulb Memory (FBM), suggested by Brown & Kulik (1977).
Define:
Flashbulb memory (done) Words to include:
Affective filters
Autobiographical memory (done) Reconstructive memory (done) Episodic memory (done) Overt rehearsal/covert rehearsal (done) Studies to Use:
Brown and Kulik (1977) - Alisha Neisser and Harsch (1992) - Emaan Opposes Flashbulb theory (should be discussed right after Brown and Kulik) Talrico and Rubin (2003)/Pezdec (2003) Flashbulb Memory Episodic memory represents our memory of experiences and specific events in time in a serial form, from which we can reconstruct the actual events that took place at any given point in our lives. It is the memory of autobiographical events (times, places, associated emotions, and other contextual knowledge) that can be explicitly stated. Individuals tend to see themselves as actors in these events, and the emotional charge and the entire context surrounding an event is usually part of the memory, not just the bare facts of the event itself.
Autobiographical memory is one 'area' of episodic memory. It refers to a memory system consisting of episodes recollected from an individual's life and is based on a combination of episodic memory and semantic memory, which is essentially general knowledge and facts about the world. One specific type of memory is known as "flashbulb memory".
Flashbulb memory was a theory suggested by Brown and Kulik in 1977. They defined flashbulb memory to be a specific type of emotional memory containing details from highly emotional, sensitive events. They stated that these details are recorded in the brain in a manner similar to a camera's flash.
Thus, flashbulb memories are vivid snapshots of circumstances in which a piece of surprising or consequential information that is heard from the event or any detail that triggers an emotional response is remembered. Therefore, some memories are remembered distinctly - even after time has passed - because the events incite highly emotional responses at the time. The memory is not of the circumstance itself but rather a memory of the reception context.
According to Brown and Kulik's theory, flashbulb memories; - Form when individuals encounter surprising and highly emotional information - Are maintained by means of overt and covert rehearsal Rehearsal refers to how repeating newly learned information can sustain details within the short-term memory store (STS) thus transfer them forward to the long-term memory st...
