Final answer:
The statement emphasizes that memories can evoke a range of emotions, including laughter and tears. Memories are linked to emotions, which can make them particularly vivid and memorable, and forgetting is a normal part of memory function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement regarding memories from the student's question emphasizes that memories have the power to evoke a range of emotions, including both happiness and sadness. Memories are not static; they can bring joy from past sadness and sorrow from happy times. This highlights the complex relationship we have with our past experiences and how they continue to influence our emotions in the present.
Memories have this nuanced dynamic because of their connection to emotions. According to arousal theory, stronger emotions lead to stronger memories. When an event triggers high levels of emotional arousal, it prompts the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that help to solidify that memory, making it more likely to be recalled in the future. This is why we might vividly remember certain events that were highly emotional, whether they were positive or negative.
Despite the richness of our memory system, forgetting is a common and natural process, as is evidenced in numerous studies and anecdotes. Forgetting may occur due to encoding failure or the natural degradation of memory traces over time. Moreover, not being able to remember every single detail of our lives, such as what we wore or what we ate on a specific date years ago, is normal, except for those with exceptional autobiographical memories, like the rare case of actress Marilu Henner.