Comments on Scott and Ponsoda's (1996) Positive and Negative Flashbulb Memories

Abstract

Most of the events studied in flashbulb memory research are negative. Scott and Ponsoda (1996) are thoroughly commended for examining differences between positive and negative flashbulbs. Here we address three points. First, we note that other applicable research on autobiographical memory exists and stress that research on flashbulb memories should be prevented from becoming an isolated topic. Second, we identify some areas wherein flashbulb research has been applied, which help explain why there has been an imbalance towards negative events. Finally, we discuss some of the methodological difficulties matching positive and negative events.