The current meta-analysis explored whether emotional memories are less susceptible to item-method directed forgetting than neutral memories. Basic analyses revealed superior memory for remember (R) than forget (F) items in both the neutral, M = 19.6%, CI_95% [16.1, 23.1], and the emotional, M = 15.1%, CI_95% [12.4, 17.7], conditions. Directed forgetting in either valence condition was larger for (a) words than for other stimuli; (b) recall than recognition tests; (c) studies that used recall prior to recognition testing; (d) shorter lists; and (e) studies that included buffer items. Direct comparison of the magnitude of the directed forgetting effect across neutral and emotional conditions within studies revealed relatively diminished directed forgetting of emotional items compared to neutral items, with an average difference of 4.2%, CI_95% [2.0, 6.4]. However, the nature of this finding varied broadly across studies, meaning that whether – and to what degree – emotional memories are more resilient than neutral memories likely depends on the methodological features of the study in question. Moderator analyses revealed larger differences (a) in studies for which the emotional items were more arousing than the neutral items, and (b) when buffer items were included. Together, these findings suggest that emotional memories are often more resilient to intentional forgetting than neutral memories, although further research is necessary to characterize the circumstances under which these differences emerge.

目前的荟萃分析探讨了情绪记忆是否比中性记忆更不易受项目法定向遗忘的影响。基本分析显示，在中性M = 19.6%，CI _95% [16.1, 23.1] 和情绪M = 15.1%，CI _95%中，记住 (R) 比忘记 (F) 项目的记忆力更好[12.4, 17.7]，条件。对于（a）词，在任一价条件下的定向遗忘比其他刺激更大；(b) 召回比识别测试；(c) 在识别测试之前使用回忆的研究；(d) 较短名单；(e) 包括缓冲项目的研究。直接比较研究中中性和情绪条件下的定向遗忘效应的大小表明，与中性项目相比，情绪项目的定向遗忘相对减少，平均差异为 4.2%，CI _95%[2.0, 6.4]。然而，这一发现的性质在不同研究中差异很大，这意味着情绪记忆是否——以及在多大程度上——比中性记忆更有弹性可能取决于相关研究的方法学特征。主持人分析揭示了更大的差异 (a) 在研究中，情绪项目比中性项目更能唤起，和 (b) 当缓冲项目被包括在内时。总之，这些发现表明，情感记忆通常比中性记忆更能适应有意遗忘，尽管需要进一步研究来描述这些差异出现的环境特征。