Psychology SL
Psychology SL
9
Chapters
238
Notes
Unit 1 - Research Methodology
Unit 1 - Research Methodology
Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour
Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour
Unit 3 - Cognitive Approach To Behaviour
Unit 3 - Cognitive Approach To Behaviour
Unit 4 - Sociocultural Approach To Behaviour
Unit 4 - Sociocultural Approach To Behaviour
Unit 6 - Health psychology
Unit 6 - Health psychology
Unit 7 - Pyschology Of Human Relationships
Unit 7 - Pyschology Of Human Relationships
Unit 8 - Developmental psychology
Unit 8 - Developmental psychology
Unit 9 - Internal Assessment
Unit 9 - Internal Assessment
Unit 10 - The IB Curriculum - A Conceptual Model
Unit 10 - The IB Curriculum - A Conceptual Model
IB Resources
Unit 3 - Cognitive Approach To Behaviour
Psychology SL
Psychology SL

Unit 3 - Cognitive Approach To Behaviour

Flashbulb Memories The Intrigue of Emotion Vs. Rehearsal

Word Count Emoji
498 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

What are flashbulb memories?

Think of a moment when you got some shocking news, maybe a national event or even when your sibling ate the last slice of your favorite pizza (the horror!). You probably remember every detail vividly, right? That's what we call a "flashbulb memory." It's a highly detailed, exceptionally vivid memory of a moment or circumstances in which surprising and consequential (or emotionally arousing) news was heard. Kind of like a snapshot or a "flashbulb" going off in your brain. Now let's dive into some exciting research studies that help us understand this phenomenon better.

Neisser et al (1996) - the earthquake study

Our first stop is California, 1989, when a severe earthquake shook the residents. Neisser et al. studied flashbulb memories of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. People living close to the earthquake (Californians) and some from Atlanta (far from the earthquake) were interviewed shortly after the event and then again 18 months later.

 

Findings

Californians' memories of the earthquake were almost perfect. (Like recalling every frame of your favorite movie, impressive, right?)

 

Atlantans with relatives in the affected area remembered significantly more than those who didn't. (Probably because they were more emotionally involved).

 

However, stress or arousal levels weren't significantly correlated with recall. Some Californians even reported low levels of emotional arousal.

 

Most interestingly, repeated narrative rehearsals (discussing the event often) seemed to play an essential role. So, remember when you couldn't stop talking about that soccer match where your team won in the last minute? You were basically rehearsing and reinforcing your memory of the event!

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IB Resources
Unit 3 - Cognitive Approach To Behaviour
Psychology SL
Psychology SL

Unit 3 - Cognitive Approach To Behaviour

Flashbulb Memories The Intrigue of Emotion Vs. Rehearsal

Word Count Emoji
498 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

What are flashbulb memories?

Think of a moment when you got some shocking news, maybe a national event or even when your sibling ate the last slice of your favorite pizza (the horror!). You probably remember every detail vividly, right? That's what we call a "flashbulb memory." It's a highly detailed, exceptionally vivid memory of a moment or circumstances in which surprising and consequential (or emotionally arousing) news was heard. Kind of like a snapshot or a "flashbulb" going off in your brain. Now let's dive into some exciting research studies that help us understand this phenomenon better.

Neisser et al (1996) - the earthquake study

Our first stop is California, 1989, when a severe earthquake shook the residents. Neisser et al. studied flashbulb memories of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. People living close to the earthquake (Californians) and some from Atlanta (far from the earthquake) were interviewed shortly after the event and then again 18 months later.

 

Findings

Californians' memories of the earthquake were almost perfect. (Like recalling every frame of your favorite movie, impressive, right?)

 

Atlantans with relatives in the affected area remembered significantly more than those who didn't. (Probably because they were more emotionally involved).

 

However, stress or arousal levels weren't significantly correlated with recall. Some Californians even reported low levels of emotional arousal.

 

Most interestingly, repeated narrative rehearsals (discussing the event often) seemed to play an essential role. So, remember when you couldn't stop talking about that soccer match where your team won in the last minute? You were basically rehearsing and reinforcing your memory of the event!

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Psychology SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟