Challenging memories reduces intrusive memories and the memory amplification effect

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21602011
AutoresChunlin Li (0000-0002-1987-7174, KU Leuven, autor de correspondencia), Henry Otgaar (0000-0002-2782-2181, KU Leuven), Fabiana Battista (0000-0003-4086-739X, KU Leuven), Peter Muris (0000-0001-5447-8200, Maastricht University), Jianqin Wang (0000-0003-4542-6518, Fudan University)
Año2023
Volumen31
Número8
Páginas1039-1050
Fecha de publicación2023-09-14
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaMemory (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0965-8211 • E-ISSN: 1464-0686
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09658211.2023.2218631
PMID37259856
OpenAlexW4378952626
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas62

This study scrutinizes the influence of attenuating beliefs about the veracity of traumatic experiences on the manifestation of intrusive recollections and the memory amplification effect. Participants were exposed to distress-inducing visual stimuli, subsequently rating their emotional status pre and post exposure. They engaged in a recognition task, identifying scenarios within the stimuli. Participants' recall was contested, casting doubt about the occurrence of certain scenes. Subsequently, they maintained a daily log of intrusive memories over a week. A second session reiterated the same process. This method effectively diminished the certainty in the participants' traumatic memories. Scenes whose occurrence was contested demonstrated a significant decline in both intrusive memories and memory amplification when juxtaposed with uncontested ones. Interestingly, no significant correlation emerged between the diminished belief in traumatic incidents and reductions in intrusive memory or memory amplification. Thus, this study advocates that interrogating the veracity of traumatic recollections can mitigate the prevalence of intrusive memories and the memory amplification effect, suggesting a novel potential therapeutic approach for trauma-related disorders

Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Distress · Emotional Memory · Recall · Traumatic memories · Clinical Psychology · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Memory Processes and Influences · Neuroscience · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology