Although the experience of ‘flashbulb’ memories appears to be common, research suggests that our memories for these events are not nearly as accurate as we think they are. The original explanation for the ‘flashbulb memory’ experience (e.g, Brown and Kulik) was that surprising and/or consequential events triggered a special memory mechanism. More recent theorists (e.g., Neisser) attribute the apparent clarity of flashbulb memories to the fact that they are frequently rehearsed and/or important benchmarks for one’s personal history. I want you to think about a flashbulb memory from your own life (not a public event like 9/11) and analyze how it relates to the proposed theoretical explanations for the phenomenon. In other words, was the event surprising or consequential? Is it a memory that you think about or tell others about frequently? Is it an important benchmark in your life? If none of these things are true, why do you think the memory persists in such vivid detail? There is obviously some amount of self-disclosure involved in responding to these questions, so please feel free to protect your privacy in any way you see fit (omitting or altering names, dates, other details).
Obviously, you should not choose to discuss an event from your personal life if you are uncomfortable sharing it in this forum.