Flashbulb Memory- Brown & Kulik (1977)

In the study---Brown & Kulik (1977), redefined the way many viewed flashbulb memories.

The aim of the study was the investigate whether dramatic or personally significant events can cause "flashbulb" memories.

Procedure: They asked 40 white & 40 black Americans whether they recalled vivid memories of hearing of major events, such as, the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Malcolm "X", Martin Luther King, and the day of Princess Diana's death. They tested their hypothesis by comparing non-consequential events against consequential events.

Findings: FB memory is more likely to be remembered for unexpected or shocking event, also personally relevant events.

Conclusion: Events that we place under dramatic or influential cause us stronger held memory of the event.

Limitation: Data is collected through a questionnaire, so accuracy is doubted.

http://www.psychologistworld.com/memory/flashbulb.php

http://www.coursework.info/University/Biological_Sciences/Psychology/Psychometrics/Brown_and_Kulik_and_Flashbulb_Memories_L9731.html