Brown and Kulik (1977)

To investigate Flash Bulb Memory and how it works

• 40 African Americans

• 40 White Americans

• Interviewed about 10 events

• 9 events were assassinations or attempted assassinations of American personalities

• 1 event was shocking personal event that was self-selected

• Asked how much they rehearsed the events

  • overtly - talking w/ others

  • covertly - privately

• 90% of participants had FBM of JFK assassination

• African Americans had more FBM of deaths of civil rights leaders than white ppl did

• Most participants recalled shocking personal event

• FBM occurs when we received shocking & highly emotional info

• Maintained by rehearsal

• Long lasting and highly detailed

• Special memory store for them?

• Ecologically valid

• Large sample size

• Not generalizable outside of America

• Participants might have felt distress

• Only qualitative data

Flashbulb memories made during highly emotional event. Shows how emotion can cause more detailed memories and better recall.