APFCC+-+Brown+and+Kulik

APFCC: Brown and Kulik

 * Theorist ** : Brown and Kulik
 * Study of: ** Flashbulb Memory, emotional memory
 * Year ** : 1977


 * Summary: **

To study the effect of emotional events upon long term memory formation.
 * Aim: **

They conducted interviews with 80 participants asking them what they felt in relation to several key public events, such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King…etc
 * Procedures: **

They were also asked about personal events that might have attracted this kind of memory.

They found that the vast majority (90%) reported having a ‘flashbulb’ style of memory of these events. However some differences were found for example, black people had a stronger reaction to the death of Martin Luther King than did white people.
 * Findings: **

They suggested that there might be a special neural connection that assists in the formation of these memories. A strong emotional arousal effects memory formation because the event is unexpected and extremely important.
 * Conclusions: **

This has been shown to be supported by modern scientific exploration. This is theorised to be because of the critical role of the amygdala.

The main concern of this study is that data collected was through interviews and subjective. Many people questioned this study, in particular suggesting that people wouldn’t realise the significance of the memory until later. Also the fact that it was well remembered would be less to do with formation at the time and more to do with the frequent rehearsal of the information later with other people.
 * Criticisms: **

However it has a similar positive reaction, suggesting that animals have a behaviour to assist them in remembering an event in the long term and protecting them in the short term with a physiological reaction.

However regardless the significance to the person is very critical in it being remembered.