Final answer:
A flashbulb memory is a clear recollection of an important event, rooted in the emotional intensity associated with the event. This is explained by the arousal theory, where strong emotional experiences release neurotransmitters that reinforce the memory, making flashbulb memories vivid and durable over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
A flashbulb memory is an exceptionally clear recollection of an important event often associated with strong emotional intensity. According to arousal theory, strong emotions trigger the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that help to strengthen these memories, making them particularly vivid and long-lasting. Although flashbulb memories are often related to national or global events, they can also pertain to personal occurrences that elicit strong emotional responses.
The answer to the question, 'A flashbulb memory is rooted in the emotional intensity of the event' is A) Emotional intensity of the event. Another explanation for flashbulb memories, according to arousal theory, is that strong emotional experiences facilitate the release of neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, which in turn enhances the long-term retention of these memories. Therefore, the formation of these memories is less related to repetitive rehearsal or attention during the event but more to the emotional impact the event has on an individual.
An engram is a term that refers to a physical trace of memory, but it is different from a flashbulb memory, which is a type of memory rather than a physical trace. The option c. flashbulb memory is the correct choice for both the student's questions regarding the clear recollection of an important event and the phenomenon related to emotional intensity aiding memory retention.