FREE ESSAY ON FLASH BULB MEMORY

FLASH BULB MEMORY

Flash Bulb Memory
On December 23, 1972, one of the most memorable games in the history of the National
Football League took place at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The
Pittsburgh Steelers were playing the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game. The
score was 7-6 in favor of the Raiders; then something extraordinary happened. Steeler
quarterback Terry Bradshaw dropped back to pass with thirteen seconds remaining in the
fourth quarter. The intended receiver was Frenchy Fequa. Fequa collided with one of the
safeties from the Raiders and the ball was deflected. Steeler's running back Franco
Harris rescued the ball before it hit the ground and scampered 60 yards for a Steeler
touchdown and earned the Steeler's a spot in the Super Bowl. If you were to ask any
Steeler fan where they were when the immaculate reception took place they would probably
be able to tell you exactly where they were and who they were with. This is an example of
the psychological phenomenon of flashbulb memory. 
Flashbulb memory is a clear memory of a significant moment or an event. I think that
flashbulb memories occur because the events that happen are often so unpredictable. Since
they were so unexpected and bring up so many different emotions, it seems that the
enviroment around us is permanently burned into our memories. We remember exactly whom we
were with, what we were wearing, our initial reaction, words spoken by friends, and even
the smells associated with the environment. Flashbulb memory is still debated among some
of the most intelligent neuropsychologists today. The debate centers on whether these
memories are encoded into the brain. From a superficial overview of some Internet sites
and book reviews, it seems that evidence is split down the middle for and against the
encoding view. Although these neuropsychologist still debate the relevance of their
finds, one fact remains true: we all have flashbulb memories. To further illustrate this
psychological concept, I will share some of my unique experiences that have permanently
burned into my mind. 
It was the middle of June and I was still in school. The teachers at our school went on
strike for thirty days and were forced back to work by binding arbitration. What this
meant to the students was that we were in school until June 30th. Then, on a hot summer
afternoon, the word spread. Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were murdered. I was
in my 7th grade English class; my teacher was Mrs. Biega. I was sitting in the row
closest to the chalkboard in the second seat when she came back in the room and turned on
the television. We sat and watched the breaking news as reporters gave their rendition of
the events. Preliminary reports indicated that football star O.J. Simpson was the number
one suspect. I could not believe it. One of my favorite football players was accused of
murder. My hero, how could it be? As I talked to my classmates, I remember my emotions. I
was shocked, scared, and nervous. When class let out that day, I went home, only to be
glued to the television. Watching NBC, I remember watching Los Angeles police in pursuit
of a white Ford Bronco driven by O.J. Simpson. I remember the police arresting O.J. and
all of the events that follow. The trial was lengthy. It lasted until the fall semester
of my freshman year in high school. The events that happened between the time of the
murders and the verdict are distorted. If asked to recall the specifics of the trial my
responses would probably be inconsistent until the verdict was read. When the verdict was
read, I was once again in English class. My teacher was Mr. Mariano. At the time we did
not have access to a television so we listened to the verdict on the radio. The class was
very noisy and it was hard to hear the broadcaster. Then, it happened. O.J. Simpson was
acquitted of double murder. I was in shock; I had mixed emotions. I did not know whether
to feel happy because my hero was innocent or whether to doubt the judicial process since
a large amount of the evidence pointed to a guilty Simpson. This is exactly how I
remember the events. Someday when my children ask me about the trial I know I will be
able to tell them the same story just as my parents told me about the immaculate
reception.
Flashbulb memories are a unique psychological phenomenon. They have a tremendous impact
on our life. These phenomenons burn permanent images into our memories, feelings, and
actions. Some of them we share, some of them we do not. The flash bulb memories we do
share have our own little twist to them. This is what makes them special; this is why
they are imprinted into are mind. So, I leave you with some questions. Where were you
when the Challenger exploded? Where were you when John F. Kennedy was assassinated? Where
were you when Mark McGwire hit is 70th home run? Where were you when an earthquake
rumbled through Oakland, California during the 1989 Word Series?