Memory for Emotional Images: Mechanisms of Episodic Processing and its Psychophysiological Correlates

Negative emotional stimuli are usually better remembered than neutral emotional stimuli. Previous examination of binding theory found no differences in recall for pure lists of taboo and neutral words. A similar result was found with equivalent recognition memory performance between pure lists of negative, positive, and neutral images. The current research is designed to test the predictions of binding theory using negative and neutral visual stimuli in mixed lists. A rapid serial visual presentation paradigm and recognition memory item-discrimination tasks are used. Binding theory predicts differences in recognition memory performance between arousing and neutral images in mixed lists, but not pure lists. Skin conductance and heart rate data are collected to understand the physiological counterparts of the psychological processes in episodic memory. Results found equivalent recognition memory performance between negative and neutral images in mixed and pure lists. A significant liberal response bias for negative over neutral images was observed across experiments. Skin conductance and heart rate measures did not correlate with recognition memory performance.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2011

Author dc:creator

• Devore, Gregory E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Haerich, Paul

• Clinical Psychology
• Memory; Psychophysiology; Emotions
• Negative emotional stimuli
• Binding theory
• Recognition memory performance
• Rapid serial visual presentation paradigm
• Recognition memory item-discrimination
• Skin conductance

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/27

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1026