Question
Asked 14th Apr, 2015
Clara Layne
Clara Layne

Can anyone suggest where I could find research which looks at context-dependent memory and flashbulb/autobiographical memories?

I am writing a piece of coursework whereby I am exploring my own personal flashbulb memory and situations whereby I have returned to the area and experienced similar feelings of the situation and also imagery of the situation. I am exploring if flashbulb memories are related in any way to the context that you were in. The rest of the essay explores how flashbulb memories differ in their accuracy of recall depending on whether the event was negative or positive, in my situation this particular event of discussion was negative.
Thanks in advance!
Autobiographical Memory
Cognition

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All Answers (3)

14th Apr, 2015
Daniel Wright
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Elizabeth Kensinger (on researchgate) has many excellent relevant papers on emotion and memory. An early example is
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6478924_When_the_Red_Sox_shocked_the_Yankees_comparing_negative_and_positive_memories
Because of Brown and Kulik's choice of stimuli, what got called flashbulb memories in the literature tended to be negative. A couple like the Red Sox paper or Thatcher's resignation was positive for some (I'll attach a paper of mine Thatcher, but Kensinger's work more directly addresses your question. I think one of the problems in flashbulb memory research is defining what one means by flashbulb memories.
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1 Recommendation
3rd Jun, 2015
Diogo Pereira Henriques
Aarhus University
Hi Clara,
From a neuroscience point of view, please check this talk by Neil Burgess, particularly the last part addressing autobiographical memory: 'How your brain tells you where you are.'
On the other hand, smart phones (and other devices) are transforming our memories and surrounding environment, which has been my subject of study: see for example 'Space time information on display...' and 'Exploring space time...'
Best regards,
Diogo
http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_burgess_how_your_brain_tells_you_where_you_are?language=en
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12th Aug, 2015
Christin Camia
Zayed University
And you may want to check out their work:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273322937_A_Ten-Year_Follow-Up_of_a_Study_of_Memory_for_the_Attack_of_September_11_2001_Flashbulb_Memories_and_Memories_for_Flashbulb_Events
It's about the malleability of flashbulb memories.
Good luck with the coursework!
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