Final answer:
Self-defining memories are characterized by emotional significance and their impact on our identity. These include flashbulb and episodic memories that are vivid and personally meaningful, shaping our understanding of ourselves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most vivid memories often say a lot about who we are as individuals. When considering the attributes of a self-defining memory, the correct answer is b. Emotional significance and identity impact. These memories have a powerful emotional component and contribute to our sense of identity.
They aren’t just factually accurate or clear; they carry weight because they form a part of our personal narrative and shape who we believe ourselves to be. They have a lasting impact because they resonate with our feelings and understanding of ourselves, unlike memories that are simply recent, clear, or neutral.
To further illustrate, a flashbulb memory is a type of highly detailed, exceptionally vivid 'snapshot' of the moment and circumstances in which a piece of surprising and consequential (or emotionally arousing) news was heard. It's an example of how our memories get colored by the significance of events. This contrasts with the routine day-to-day memories, such as what we wore or ate on a specific day, which usually don't have such lasting power or personal significance.
Understanding the epsisodic memory, which is a part of our explicit or declarative memory, is crucial too. This type of memory contains information about events we have personally experienced. The deep personal relevance of these memories is what makes them so impactful and often self-defining compared to other types of memories.