The Effect of Emotion on Associative Memory: Anger versus Fear
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Date
2020
Authors
Adler, Melissa Ann
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Studies show that emotion enhances memory for individual items but weakens memory for associations between items. One explanation for this associative memory impairment is that emotional stimuli capture attention, causing enhanced encoding of the emotional item but reduced encoding of the surrounding environment. This hypothesis generates the prediction that emotional information always impairs associative memory. Alternatively, it may be that emotion orients attention towards threats in the environment, thus suggesting anger and fear have different effects on memory for associated information. For example, seeing an angry face constitutes a direct threat, potentially capturing attention and reducing memory for associated information. In contrast, seeing a fearful face indicates a threat elsewhere in the environment, potentially enhancing encoding of associated information. To adjudicate betweenthese hypotheses, subjects studied sets of three images, consisting of two objects and a face with either a neutral, angry, or fearful expression. Subjects were later tested on their memory for the associations between the three items. Supporting thefirst hypothesis, memory for both angry and fearful associations was worse than memory for neutral associations. Contrary to the second hypothesis, there were no differences in memory for angry versus fearful associations. Thus, emotional information itself seems to capture attention, weakening memory for related information.
Description
34 pages
Keywords
Emotion, Memory, Anger, Fear, Associative, Negative