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What method did Brown and Kulik use in their study?

Author

Michael Henderson

Published Mar 02, 2026

What method did Brown and Kulik use in their study?

Brown and Kulik (1977) constructed the special-mechanism hypothesis which supposedly demonstrated the existence of a distinct special neural mechanism for flashbulb memories. This mechanism was named “now print”, because it was as if the whole episode was a snapshot and imprinted in memory as such.

What criticism did Neissar & Harsch have regarding flashbulb memory?

For example, Neisser and Harsch (1992), who based their research on memories of the 1986 Challenge space shuttle disaster, concluded that although flashbulb memories are vivid and long-lasting, they are not always reliable. Further research was undertaken by Talarico and Rubin (2003).

What are some of the criticisms of the concept of flashbulb memory?

2. What criticism did Neissar & Harsch have regarding flashbulb memory? (a) Flashbulb memories are not more detailed than ordinary memories. (b) There is no evidence for a special neural mechanism in flashbulb memory. (c) Even vivid, detailed memories may not necessarily be accurate.

What do Brown and Kulik say is the nature of flashbulb memory?

The theory of flashbulb memories was proposed by Roger Brown and James Kulik in 1977 after they investigated memories of the JFK assassination. They defined flashbulb memories as unusually vivid memories of a surprising and emotionally arousing event.

What did Brown and Kulik argue?

Aim: Brown & Kulik proposed that some events can be remembered as though our mind had photographed them – what they called flashbulb memories. They also argued that there must be a biological mechanism that led to the creation of these memories, but the following study did not investigate a biological component.

What are some examples of flashbulb memories?

The recollection of geographical location, activities, and feelings during a monumental or emotional life experience all fall under the category of flashbulb memories. Some common examples of such remembrances include the memory of 9/11 attacks, a school shooting, college graduation, or even the birth of one’s child.

What are three measures of retention?

Psychologists commonly use three measures of retention: recall, recognition, and relearning.

How does rehearsing memories affect flashbulb memories?

Repeated rehearsal of the news in media and between individuals make flashbulb memories more susceptible to misremembering the source of information, thus leading to less recall of true details of the event.

How does rehearsal effect flashbulb memories?

In the first case, rehearsal would consist in thinking and talking about people’s own experience, thereby enhancing flashbulb memory, whereas in the second case, rehearsal would involve repeated consultation of information about the event in different media, thereby enhancing event memory.

How does rehearsal or rehearsing memories affect flashbulb memories?

What are the main characteristics of flashbulb memories?

Flashbulb memories have six characteristic features: place, ongoing activity, informant, own affect, other affect, and aftermath. Arguably, the principal determinants of a flashbulb memory are a high level of surprise, a high level of consequentiality, and perhaps emotional arousal.

How accurate is flashbulb memory?

The Hirst, Talarico and Rubin findings seem to suggest that flashbulb memories are not necessarily all that accurate, but they do appear to be more vivid than other memories—at least people certainly perceive them that way.