Negative affect improves the quality of memories: Trading capacity for precision in sensory and working memory
Journal article
Spachtholz, Philipp, Kuhbandner, Christof and Pekrun, Reinhard. (2014). Negative affect improves the quality of memories: Trading capacity for precision in sensory and working memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology. 143(4), pp. 1450 - 1456. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000012
Authors | Spachtholz, Philipp, Kuhbandner, Christof and Pekrun, Reinhard |
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Abstract | Research has shown that negative affect reduces working memory capacity. Commonly, this effect has been attributed to an allocation of resources to task-irrelevant thoughts, suggesting that negative affect has detrimental consequences for working memory performance. However, rather than simply being a detrimental effect, the affect-induced capacity reduction may reflect a trading of capacity for precision of stored representations. To test this hypothesis, we induced neutral or negative affect and concurrently measured the number and precision of representations stored in sensory and working memory. Compared with neutral affect, negative affect reduced the capacity of both sensory and working memory. However, in both memory systems, this decrease in capacity was accompanied by an increase in precision. These findings demonstrate that observers unintentionally trade capacity for precision as a function of affective state and indicate that negative affect can be beneficial for the quality of memories. |
Keywords | emotional states; emotions; iconic memory; short-term memory; stimulus salience; working memory capacity |
Year | 2014 |
Journal | Journal of Experimental Psychology |
Journal citation | 143 (4), pp. 1450 - 1456 |
Publisher | American Psychological Association Inc. |
ISSN | 0096-3445 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000012 |
Page range | 1450 - 1456 |
Research Group | Institute for Positive Psychology and Education |
Publisher's version | File Access Level Controlled |
Place of publication | United States of America |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/89w8z/negative-affect-improves-the-quality-of-memories-trading-capacity-for-precision-in-sensory-and-working-memory
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