Background and objectives

Lab experiments show that engaging in a working memory task while recalling an aversive memory reduces emotionality and vividness of memories. Studies targeting lab induced negative memory with valenced secondary tasks show promise, but work is needed on autobiographical memories to make it more in line with the original dual tasking research and PTSD treatment in clinical populations. In this study, we address this gap by evaluating differential effectiveness of valenced dual tasks on emotionality and vividness of aversive autobiographical memories.

Methods

University students (N = 178) recalled an aversive autobiographical memory while rating either positive pictures, negative pictures, or while looking at a cross in the exposure only condition. Participants were randomized to one of three aforementioned conditions and rated their memories before and after each intervention on emotionality and vividness.

Results

Against expectations, memories became more emotional and vivid regardless of condition. With regard to vividness, this effect was characterized by an interaction effect: memories became more vivid in the exposure only condition than in the combined dual tasking conditions. All effect sizes were small.

Limitations

Working memory load in the dual tasking conditions might have been insufficient.

Conclusions

The current study did not extend findings with regard to (valenced) dual tasking and revealed a possible sensitization effect of script driven autobiographical memory induction. Our study highlights the importance of aspects such as the total amount of exposure and characteristics of memory induction, specifically the addition of a script driven approach to the usual self-initiated memory activation in dual tasking research.

中文翻译：

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效价是否有助于厌恶自传记忆中双重任务的影响？一些意想不到的发现

背景和目标

实验室实验表明，在回忆厌恶性记忆的同时进行工作记忆任务会降低记忆的情绪化和生动性。针对实验室诱导的负性记忆和次要任务的研究显示出希望，但需要对自传体记忆进行研究，以使其更符合临床人群中原始的双重任务研究和 PTSD 治疗。在这项研究中，我们通过评估价双任务对厌恶自传体记忆的情绪和生动性的不同有效性来解决这一差距。

方法

大学生 ( N  = 178) 在评价正面图片、负面图片或在仅曝光条件下看十字时回忆起厌恶的自传体记忆。参与者被随机分配到上述三种情况中的一种，并在每次干预前后对他们的情绪和生动性进行评分。

结果

与预期相反，无论情况如何，记忆都变得更加情绪化和生动。在生动性方面，这种效应的特点是交互效应：仅暴露条件下的记忆比双重任务条件下的记忆更加生动。所有效应量都很小。

限制

双任务条件下的工作记忆负载可能不足。

结论

目前的研究没有扩展关于（效价）双重任务的发现，并揭示了脚本驱动的自传记忆诱导可能的敏化效应。我们的研究强调了诸如暴露总量和记忆诱导特征等方面的重要性，特别是在双任务研究中将脚本驱动的方法添加到通常的自启动记忆激活中。