scholarly journals Emotional valence and the functions of autobiographical memories: Positive and negative memories serve different functions

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Rasmussen ◽  
D. Berntsen
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Negative Memories

scholarly journals Post-retrieval Distortions of Self-Referential Negative Memory: Valence Consistency Enhances Gist-Directed False, While Non-negative Interference Generates More Intrusive Updates

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Ni Pan ◽  
Xuebing Li
Keyword(s):  
Neural Mechanism ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Interference Effects ◽  
Episodic Simulation ◽  
New Learning ◽  
Behavioral Paradigm ◽  
Negative Memory ◽  
Retrieval Interference ◽  
Functional Mechanisms ◽  
Negative Memories

According to the theory of reconsolidation, the contents of an original memory can be updated after reactivation with subsequent new learnings. However, there seems to be a lack of an appropriate behavioral paradigm to study the reconsolidation of explicit self-related memory, which is of great significance to further explore its cognitive neural mechanism in the future. In two separate experiments, we adapted a trial-by-trial interfering paradigm with a self-episodic simulation process and investigated (1) whether it is possible to reconsolidate negative memories under the new behavioral paradigm and (2) how the emotional valence of post-retrieval interference material affects the reconsolidation of negative memories. The results showed that the negative memories under trial-by-trial self-simulation can be degraded and updated via post-retrieval interference processes. Individuals whose original memories were reactivated by initial background cues and who were then presented with new interference situations were less able to recall original scenes and showed more memory intrusions on these scenes than those who had experienced new learning without reactivation or only reactivation without interference. Furthermore, the extent and manner of memory change/updating were greatly influenced by the characteristics of interference information. For memories with negative valences, new learning materials with the same valence produced superior interference effects in the form of lower correct recalls and more integrated false; whereas the neutral interference materials can cause more memory intrusion. Post-retrieval memory distortions of negative self-memory may underlie different functional mechanisms.

scholarly journals The Role of Eye-Movements in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Eye-Movements Lower the Number of Intrusive Thoughts of Negative Memories

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Gauranga Jeram Patel
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Central Executive ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Direction Of Movement ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Negative Memories

<p>Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and involves the patient thinking about a traumatic event while simultaneously moving their eyes from side to side. Despite substantial support for the efficacy of EMDR questions remain regarding how eye-movements contribute to therapy. One explanation is that eye-movements tax a part of working memory known as the central executive; however, the exact mechanism involved is still unclear. Previous eye-movement research has focussed on self-ratings of vividness and emotionality of negative memories as the primary outcome measures. The focus of the current research was to examine the effect of eye-movements on the suppression of negative autobiographical memories in addition to vividness and emotionality. Non-clinical participants were asked to recall negative autobiographical memories and then verbally reported ratings of vividness and emotionality. In the eye-movement conditions, which varied by speed and direction of movement, eye-movements were stimulated using dots on a computer screen. Participants were then asked to avoid thinking of their memories, and intrusive thoughts were measured by pressing a computer key. Six experiments found that, overall, the effect of eye-movements on self-ratings was inconsistent, but that eye-movements reliably improved suppression of negative autobiographical memories. The findings also support the central executive explanation for the effectiveness of eye-movements in EMDR.</p>

scholarly journals The Role of Eye-Movements in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Eye-Movements Lower the Number of Intrusive Thoughts of Negative Memories

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Gauranga Jeram Patel
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Central Executive ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Direction Of Movement ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Negative Memories

<p>Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and involves the patient thinking about a traumatic event while simultaneously moving their eyes from side to side. Despite substantial support for the efficacy of EMDR questions remain regarding how eye-movements contribute to therapy. One explanation is that eye-movements tax a part of working memory known as the central executive; however, the exact mechanism involved is still unclear. Previous eye-movement research has focussed on self-ratings of vividness and emotionality of negative memories as the primary outcome measures. The focus of the current research was to examine the effect of eye-movements on the suppression of negative autobiographical memories in addition to vividness and emotionality. Non-clinical participants were asked to recall negative autobiographical memories and then verbally reported ratings of vividness and emotionality. In the eye-movement conditions, which varied by speed and direction of movement, eye-movements were stimulated using dots on a computer screen. Participants were then asked to avoid thinking of their memories, and intrusive thoughts were measured by pressing a computer key. Six experiments found that, overall, the effect of eye-movements on self-ratings was inconsistent, but that eye-movements reliably improved suppression of negative autobiographical memories. The findings also support the central executive explanation for the effectiveness of eye-movements in EMDR.</p>

scholarly journals Autobiographical memory increases pupil dilation

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 280-287
Author(s):  
Mohamad El Haj ◽  
Steve M. J. Janssen ◽  
Karim Gallouj ◽  
Quentin Lenoble
Keyword(s):  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Memory Retrieval ◽  
Pupil Size ◽  
Pupil Diameter ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Pupil Dilation ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Negative Memories

Abstract Background Pupil activity has been widely considered as a “summed index” of physiological activities during cognitive processing. Methodology We investigated pupil dilation during retrieval of autobiographical memory and compared pupil diameter with a control condition in which participants had to count aloud. We also measured pupil diameters retrieval of free (i.e., first memory that comes to mind), positive, and negative memories (memories associated, respectively, with the words “happy” and “sad”). Results Analyses demonstrated larger pupil diameters during the free, positive, and negative autobiographical memory retrieval than during the control task. Analyses also demonstrated no significant differences in pupil diameters across the three autobiographical memory conditions. Conclusion These outcomes demonstrate that, compared with counting, autobiographical retrieval results in a larger pupil size. However, the emotional valence of memories yields non-significant effect on pupil diameters. Our findings demonstrate how autobiographical memory retrieval yields pupil dilation.

Chronological Effects of Emotional Valence on the Self-selected Retrieval of Autobiographical Memories

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Williamson ◽  
Valeria Drago ◽  
Michal Harciarek ◽  
Adam Dov Falchook ◽  
Bliss Anne Wargovich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Valence ◽  
The Self ◽  
Autobiographical Memories

scholarly journals Autobiographical Memory Disturbances in Depression: A Novel Therapeutic Target?

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano A. Köhler ◽  
André F. Carvalho ◽  
Gilberto S. Alves ◽  
Roger S. McIntyre ◽  
Thomas N. Hyphantis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Neuroimaging ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Memory Specificity ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Method Of Loci ◽  
Amygdala Activity ◽  
Therapeutic Opportunity ◽  
Systematic Biases ◽  
Positive Memories

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by a dysfunctional processing of autobiographical memories. We review the following core domains of deficit: systematic biases favoring materials of negative emotional valence; diminished access and response to positive memories; a recollection of overgeneral memories in detriment of specific autobiographical memories; and the role of ruminative processes and avoidance when dealing with autobiographical memories. Furthermore, we review evidence from functional neuroimaging studies of neural circuits activated by the recollection of autobiographical memories in both healthy and depressive individuals. Disruptions in autobiographical memories predispose and portend onset and maintenance of depression. Thus, we discuss emerging therapeutics that target memory difficulties in those with depression. We review strategies for this clinical domain, including memory specificity training, method-of-loci, memory rescripting, and real-time fMRI neurofeedback training of amygdala activity in depression. We propose that the manipulation of the reconsolidation of autobiographical memories in depression might represent a novel yet largely unexplored, domain-specific, therapeutic opportunity for depression treatment.

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