why do we remember tiny details from traumatic events that we wouldn’t ordinarily remember?

Question

For example if I ask someone what they had for breakfast or what song was on the radio yesterday, they may not know.

But if I asked them what they did the day their loved one died 30 years ago, they could probably tell you: I had Cheerios for breakfast. The mail was late. I got stuck in traffic. Boyz II Men was on the radio.

Why does our brain store these tiny details in times of trauma?

In: 7

Answer 1

I do believe dangerous Ir traumatic situations are etched into our memory so that we learn to avoid them in the future

That is why you have so many cringe memories from childhood too, is wager, so you learn to avoid them