All About Flashbulb Memory

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Dear Student,

Hi and thank you for using Brainmass. The solution below should get you started. I see that you are asking for help in putting together a solution that expounds a particular area of research interest in the subject of memory. You are indicating as an example of such a field infantile amnesia. In other words, as long as it falls within this particular area of interest - memory - it is acceptable. I suggest looking into the topic of 'flashbulb memory' which is a very interesting topic in forensic psychology. To make sure that you have structure in your answer, use an outline. I suggest thus:

1. Introduction - what is the paper about?
2. On flashbulb memory - what is it?
3. On memory & emotions
4. Flashbulb memory in the life narrative & in forensic psychology

Before formulating your content, try and visited the listed online resources below. I think you will find this particular topic interesting as it is of great relevance to criminologists. Good luck with your studies.

Sincerely,
AE 105878/Xenia Jones
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Topics of research in Memory: Flashbulb Memory

Introduction

There are a host of topics that fall under the heading of 'memory' in the study of psychology. Memory is the process by which information is captured, encoded, stored and then retrieved (the process of recall). Memory is an important function of the human mind as it is a fundamental element in the creation of personality and the ability of man to function and be 'social'. Without memory, personalities and identities will be absent being that it is via the function of memory that identities develop through the process of socialization. As such it is also an important topic in sociology, anthropology and cultural studies. But memory as a phenomenon is not unique to humans - animals functioning with a nervous system have their own form of memory - that is, information encoding storage and retrieval. Memory is based on experience and it is experience that 'teaches' and shapes the individual, human or otherwise, regarding a particular thing, event, situation or idea. Of a host of topics in memory, one of great interest to me is the phenomenon of 'flashbulb memory' as it highlights how emotion is connected to the strength of memory encoding. This short discussion explores this phenomenon.

On Flashbulb Memory

What is flashbulb memory? Simply put, it is a highly detailed, extremely vivid recollection of a highly charged event where the emotions of the event have had such strong impact. Whatever the event or experience is, whether negative (as in traumatic), or positive (as in achieving a ...