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One theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process (8/22) (Brown +…
One theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process (8/22)
Introduction
suggested by Brown + Kulik (1977)
FMB - refers to vivid + detailed memories of highly emotional events recorded in the brain
some events stand out in memory more than others
Flashbulb memory (FBM) = 1 theory of how emotion might affect cog. process of memory
high emotional state imprints the event in our memory
emotion has been investigated in terms of its cognitive influences
CLA = humans are info processors + mental representations guide behaviour
Conclusion
high ecological validity
studies can't be replicated = lack reliability
majority of research = naturalistic
evidence = retrospective -- can't measure how accurate ppl's initial memories are
FBM (affected by emotion) can influence recall of memories
Conway et al. (1994)
pp's interviewed a few days after event
interviewed again 11 months later
based on resignation of Margaret Thatcher
Results:
86% of UK pp's still had FBM of event
Method: pp's either UK / non-UK undergraduates
only 29% non-UK pp's had FBM
Aim:
test theory of FBM
Conclusion:
event met criteria for FBM for UK ppl > aroused deep emotions = unexpected + highly signif. event
influenced special neural mechanisms + formed FBM
Strengths:
ecologically valid (real event)
in-depth qualitative data
Weaknesses:
some methodology not controlled
pp's may have experienced distress
suggests FBM exists, however might only be for personally signif. events?
Brown + Kulik (1977)
9 were on assassinations of well-known Americans'
1 was a personal event (self-selected)
answered Q's about 10 events
asked how much they had overtly / covertly rehearsed these events
40 African A's + 40 Caucasian A's
Results:
90% pp's recalled J.F Kennedy's assass. with most context + detail (most FBM)
Method:
interviewed 80 Americans
African A's recalled more FBM's of civil rights leaders than Caucasians (eg. Martin Luther K.)
Aim:
investigate FBM + how it works
for personal event, most pp's recalled events eg. death of a family member
supports theory of FBM:
form when we encounter surprising + highly emotional events
maintained by overt + covert rehearsal
diff from other memories: more vivid, accurate, last longer
many pp's = high ecological validity to American ppl
Strengths
naturalistic - real life events
Weaknesses
can't be generalised beyond Americans'
hard to replicate = lacks reliability
qualitative data = researcher bias? (no quantitative)