Emotions can be defined as physiological signs as response to external stimuli and feelings emerge when the stimuli is interpreted by the brain.Whereas, on the other hand, memory is the ability to retain information over time through three main processes namely, encoding, storing and retrieving. A theory of how emotion is capable of influencing memory is known as the flashbulb memory theory which is also the focus of this essay. Flashbulb memories are a type of highly accurate and vivid episodic memory that cannot be easily forgotten, due to the emotional nature of the event. The term ‘flashbulb’ connotes that the memory is like a photograph in nature, meaning accurate in detail. Flashbulb memories are often rehearsed because of their importance of how emotionally salient they are to the individual. This makes the …show more content…
There are six important attributes about the flashbulb memories that people tend to remember in detail according to the theory. These are: place (Their location when the incident happened), ongoing activity (What they were doing), informant (how did they find out about the occurrence), own affect (their feelings), other affect (other peoples feelings), aftermath (the consequences). When an individual experiences a surprisingly unexpected, traumatic or emotional event, a biological flashbulb memory mechanism is triggered. That being the case, a flashbulb memory of that specific experience is created. They also contain unique traits that make them different from other memories. They are inclined to be more detailed, vivid, accurate, easier to remember, longer lasting, and consistent. Whereas, in opposition, as per a number of researchers, normal memories are unreliable, distorted and malleable. Support for this claim,