In the field of psychology, flashbulb memories are vividly detailed and long-lasting memories of emotional events and tape recordings of unfortunate experiences. Such overwhelming memories are taken in a snapshot in such a way that a certain “photograph” in mind consists of the event, the people, and the entire occurrence of the moment.
For instance, majorities of the people once they are shown pictures of public figures are able to identify, without a shred of doubt, their whereabouts during the September 11 attacks. It goes without saying that they are intensely emotionally charged moments in their lives. Such memories are almost always associated with emotions of shock, awe, terror, and dread to name a few, thus, amplifying the encoding of such memories.
It is a widely held view that the amygdala and others involved in the emotion systems of the brain profoundly influence such memories. It appears that flashbulb memories are highly defensive and difficult to attack; however, with the passage of time, remembering such memories are not always completely accurate. Individuals perceive memories to be true however, details do seem to vary. Psychologists regard flashbulb memories to be the core of the emergent phenomenon of the bond between emotion and memory. It serves to demonstrate how the most powerful of experiences affect the memories we hold and the way we choose to live with them.