sharot

• SHAROT – used for techniques and localization of memory 
• aim: To determine the role of biological factors on flashbulb memories
• method:

  Quasi-experiment correlational

  • 24 participants who were present at the 9/11 attacks 3 years prior were placed into an fMRI- they were presented with words on a screen while in the scanner. words were supposed to associate with the attack including "September" and "summer"- after brain scan, participants were asked to rate vividness, detail, and confidence in accuracy of any memories they had during the scan- only half of participants reported having flashbulb memories They provided informed consent and were compensated for their participation.
• results: - those who reported having flashbulb memories were physically closer to the attacks on the day, details were also more specific - activation of amygdala was higher when participants were recalling events from 9/11 than from the preceding summer- strength of amygdala activation was correlated with flashbulb memories
• conclusion: The strength of amygdala's reaction correlates to flashbulb memories, this shows that participant's own experience may have effect on activation of neural mechanism that induces vivid memories
• Study

  • Correlational, does not establish cause-and-effect relationship
  • Environment of fMRI and task highly artificial, low in ecological validity
  • Demand characteristics not possible due to nature of task
• Amygdala role

  Result of proximity to event
• Study does not explain why some people have vivid memories after seeing events on television or the Internet
• Sample

  • Small, culturally biased
  • Individualistic cultures more likely to have flashbulb memories than collectivistic cultures
• Findings difficult to generalize