Throughout our lifetime, there are going to be moments, situations and experiences that are more forgetful than others. The difference between the events that we tend to forget and the ones that stick in our mind like glue is the emotion behind those memories. The term flashbulb memory refers to memories, which are highly detailed and vivid memories due to the emotional circumstances surrounding the event itself (Goldstein, p 209, 2008). These are memories that have so much feeling attached to them it causes that specific memory to become imprinted in your mind it almost feels like it happened yesterday. You are able to recall where you were when the event happened, what you were wearing as well as all the feelings and emotions you experienced during that time. The circumstances that constitute a flashbulb memory are different for everyone and are completely subjective and unique to each …show more content…
They are repeated in our minds so much that they become a part of us. Unlike events without those intense feelings attached to it, such as memories for a birthday party or a sporting event you attended. Those memories are thought about maybe once or twice throughout the year and then they are mostly forgotten. To this day, I think about that moment when I heard about my friend numerous times throughout the year, probably too many to count. The consistency of those thoughts has caused that memory to remain as vivid as it has. Another reason for its vividness has to do with a certain part of our brain. Studies have shown that flashbulb memory is connected to the amygdala. The amygdala is associated with emotional events as well as memory performance. When an emotional event occurs the amygdala is activated causing an increase in your ability to remember (Law,