Flashbulb Memory A flashbulb memory is a clear memory of an emotionally significant moment or event. For example, Leonard had a flashbulb memory of his wife dying on the night that they were “attacked”.
Mnemonic Device A mnemonic device is a memory aid, especially techniques using vivid imagery. For example, Leonard would use Polaroid pictures, writing important information on them to remember things.
Misinformation Effect Misinformation effect is incorporating misleading information into one’s memory of an event. For example, Teddy at first tells Leonard that a JG killed his wife, which led to Jimmy Grant being killed.
Associative Learning Associative learning is learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli or response and its consequences. For example, Sammy Jankis was given a test to see if he could learn that picking up a certain shape would shock him. This tested if he would have a response to the stimulus.
Automatic Processing Memento 3
Automatic processing is unconscious encoding of incidental information. For example, due to the accident Leonard had lost his ability for automatic processing, therefore everyone he met after the accident he does not remember meeting them or how many times they have seen them.
Sammy Jankis Due to much proof throughout the movie, Sammy Jankis is not a real character. Leonard states early on that he writes what is true in capital letters. For example, Teddy exclaims that Leonard should not trust Natalie and demanded him to write this on the back of her picture. To satisfy Teddy, Leonard writes this on the back of the picture in lower case letters, so he knows it is not true later. Leonard writes remember Sammy Jankis in lower case letters as a mnemonic device to remember that Sammy Jankis is not real.
Death of Leonard’s Wife Although Leonard technically killed his wife in the way that Sammy’s wife supposedly died, he is not responsible. Leonard’s wife is