Flashbulb Memory
Memory of the moment a person learned about a surprising, emotional event, recalled with unusual vividness and confidence but not unusual accuracy.
- Ex: Where you were, who you were with, and what you did when you heard about the shooting on campus last December.
- Ex: Adults who described how they learned of the September 11 attacks changed 37% of the details within a year while staying just as confident.
- Ex: The moment a person found out a parent had died, recalled years later in detail, including details that other family members remember differently.
Last updated: October 5, 2026 at 5:27 PM