Examine how one theory of emotion may affect one cognitive process
One theory of how emotion affects the cognitive process of memory is by a process known as a Flashbulb Memory. The theory is that these Flashbulb Memories will not only enhance the memory itself, but will make certain aspects of the memory more vivid and detailed. First, the Flashbulb Memory should be defined. Flashbulb memories are emotional memories that are remembered with great vivid detail and are almost photo like. For example, if someone were to experience a horrid natural disaster, they would most likely remember the situation more vividly than people not actually there. This instance is exactly what Brown and Kulik were trying to show in 1977, and what Conway was trying to express in 1994. They were dealing with the concept of emotion and how it affected one’s memory. However, emotion is not an easy thing to gage, as it is subjective to the individual and often times impulsive.
The first occurrence of the flashbulb memory was demonstrated by Brown and Kulik in their study of 1977. Brown and Kulik wanted to investigate flashbulb memories so that they could simply aid to their argument. The researchers interviewed 80 Americans, 40 African Americans, and 40 Caucasian Americans over ten specific events. Nine of these events consisted of assassinations on well-known Americans and one was a personal event. In these questions participants were asked if they had any significant remembrance of these events, both overtly and covertly. In the results, the researchers observed that 90% of all participants recalled the J. F. K. assassination in context and with great detail. Often times people had self-selected events that corresponded to his assassination, such as a death of a loved one. Results also showed 73 % of African Americans recalled more information regarding the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. than Caucasian Americans did. This study supported the Brown and Kulik’s theory of flashbulb memories, and seemed to last longer and more efficiently than
The first occurrence of the flashbulb memory was demonstrated by Brown and Kulik in their study of 1977. Brown and Kulik wanted to investigate flashbulb memories so that they could simply aid to their argument. The researchers interviewed 80 Americans, 40 African Americans, and 40 Caucasian Americans over ten specific events. Nine of these events consisted of assassinations on well-known Americans and one was a personal event. In these questions participants were asked if they had any significant remembrance of these events, both overtly and covertly. In the results, the researchers observed that 90% of all participants recalled the J. F. K. assassination in context and with great detail. Often times people had self-selected events that corresponded to his assassination, such as a death of a loved one. Results also showed 73 % of African Americans recalled more information regarding the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. than Caucasian Americans did. This study supported the Brown and Kulik’s theory of flashbulb memories, and seemed to last longer and more efficiently than