Psychology MCAT Practice Exam 2025 – Complete All-in-One Guide to Ensure Your Success!

The term that describes memories that are vivid and easily recalled, particularly in relation to significant events, is flashbulb memories. Flashbulb memories refer to the detailed and seemingly accurate recollections of the circumstances surrounding a surprising or emotionally charged event. These types of memories are characterized by their clarity and the high confidence individuals have in the accuracy of these memories, even over long periods.

This phenomenon is often linked to events that hold great personal significance or are culturally impactful, such as the death of a prominent figure or a natural disaster. The emotional arousal associated with these events plays a crucial role in encoding the memory, leading to rich, detailed recollections that stand out from everyday experiences.

In contrast, contextual memories relate more to the specific circumstances or context in which an event occurred, but do not necessarily share the same vividness or emotional intensity associated with flashbulb memories. Long-term memories encompass a broader category of memories that persist over time; they can be procedural, declarative, or episodic but aren’t defined by the vividness characteristic of flashbulb memories. Procedural memories involve the subconscious recall of skills and tasks, such as riding a bike or playing a musical instrument, which also lack the emotional aspect that defines flashbulb