Obolenskaya G. The “flashbulb memory” phenomenon: psychological properties and features

The object of research is flashbulb memory. The work purpose is to determine features of functioning of flashbulb memory depending on features of emotional sphere, person characteristics of researched and their age. The methods: theoretical (analysis of the psychological literature), empirical (interviewing, questionaring, conversation, testing) and mathematic-statistical methods of research. The scientific novelty: in work the classification of flashbulb memories, developed on the basis of the analysis of western literature, is submitted; the author's interview for revealing of flashbulb memories at researched is developed; the basic themes of flashbulb memories about personally important events are revealed, their age features and features of their emotional orientation are shown; the connection of a level of emotional maturity with flashbulb memory is proved; is constructed 4-factors model of structure of emotional sphere of the man and the factors, which promote and prevent education of flashbulb memory, are revealed. The practical value of research: the interview for revealing of flashbulb memories is developed; the results of research can be used in psychotherapeutical work, in particular with the clients, which have phobias; for research of adjacent scientific problems, namely autobiographical memory, emotional sphere, psychology of creativity. Efficiency of the introduction - high. The sphere of the use: higher educational institutions, psychological service.