Becoming instantly enraged at the sight of a Nazi swastika is an example of a(n) __ memory.
a. procedural
b. semantic
c. emotional
d. episodic
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c. emotional.
Emotional memory refers to the recall of feelings or emotional reactions triggered by a specific stimulus, such as a person, event, or object. These memories are strongly connected to emotional responses, like fear, anger, joy, or sadness, and can be activated instantly upon encountering something related to the initial emotional experience.
In the case of becoming instantly enraged at the sight of a Nazi swastika, the emotional memory is elicited by the symbolism associated with the swastika. For many, the swastika is strongly linked with memories of violence, hatred, and oppression from World War II and the Holocaust. This symbol, therefore, triggers an automatic emotional response, such as anger or distress, because of the emotional impact its historical context has left on individuals or society.
These reactions are often formed through early experiences, collective societal awareness, or personal encounters that involve significant emotional events. Emotional memories, therefore, tend to be vivid, intense, and sometimes difficult to suppress, as they are deeply ingrained in the brain’s limbic system, which governs emotions and memory formation.
Unlike procedural memory (which involves learned skills), semantic memory (which refers to factual knowledge), and episodic memory (which involves specific events), emotional memory is specifically tied to the emotional weight of a stimulus or experience. When one is immediately triggered into an emotional state, such as rage, by a particular symbol or event, it reflects the power of emotional memory in shaping responses without conscious thought.