Sharot et al (2007) Flashcards
9/11 Flashbulb memory (8 cards)
Where can this study be used? (3)
Techniques for studying the brain and behavior.
Localization of function.
One theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process.
Aim
To determine the potential role of biological factors on flashbulb memories. [How emotion affects memory]
Participants
24 people who were there in New York City on the day
* recruited through advertisements
* provided informed consent and were compensated for their participation
Method
Quasi-experiment conducted three years after 9/11 terrorist attacks
* put into fMRI and presented with word cues on a screen
* “Summer” or “September” (IV) projected along with the other word cues in order to get the P to link the words to either the summer holidays or the 9/11 attacks
* brain activity observed while recalling
* memories of summer serves as baseline of brain activity
Results
Activation of the amygdala for the participants who were downtown was higher when they recalled memories of the terrorist attack than when they recalled events from the preceding summer
* those participants who were further away from the event had equal levels of response in the amygdala when recalling both events
Limitations (3)
- correlational study: does not establish a cause and effect relationship
- highly artificial environment: low ecological validity
- sample size is small and culturally biased: difficult to generalise
Strengths (2)
- includes control measure (memory about own summer): increased internal validity
- allows for further research regarding memory reliability
How does the study link to “Techniques for studying the brain and behavior”?
Use of fMRI machine was central to the precision and biological perspective of the experiment
* allowed for the differening activities of the brain to be mapped and separation to be made between emotionally heavy (flashbulb) and mundane memories
