TY - JOUR
T1 - Emotion Processing Effects on Interference Resolution in Working Memory
AU - Levens, Sara M.
AU - Phelps, Elizabeth A.
PY - 2008/4
Y1 - 2008/4
N2 - The interaction between emotion and working memory maintenance, load, and performance has been investigated with mixed results. The effect of emotion on specific executive processes such as interference resolution, however, remains relatively unexplored. In this series of studies, we examine how emotion affects interference resolution processes within working memory by modifying the Recency-probes paradigm (Monsel, 1978) to include emotional and neutral stimuli. Reaction time differences were compared between interference and non-interference trials for neutral and emotional words (Studies 1 & 3) and pictures (Study 2). Our results indicate that trials using emotional stimuli show a relative decrease in interference compared with trials using neutral stimuli, suggesting facilitation of interference resolution in the former. Furthermore, both valence and arousal seem to interact to produce this facilitation effect. These findings suggest that emotion facilitates response selection amid interference in working memory.
AB - The interaction between emotion and working memory maintenance, load, and performance has been investigated with mixed results. The effect of emotion on specific executive processes such as interference resolution, however, remains relatively unexplored. In this series of studies, we examine how emotion affects interference resolution processes within working memory by modifying the Recency-probes paradigm (Monsel, 1978) to include emotional and neutral stimuli. Reaction time differences were compared between interference and non-interference trials for neutral and emotional words (Studies 1 & 3) and pictures (Study 2). Our results indicate that trials using emotional stimuli show a relative decrease in interference compared with trials using neutral stimuli, suggesting facilitation of interference resolution in the former. Furthermore, both valence and arousal seem to interact to produce this facilitation effect. These findings suggest that emotion facilitates response selection amid interference in working memory.
KW - emotion
KW - interference resolution
KW - working memory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=43549088580&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=43549088580&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1037/1528-3542.8.2.267
DO - 10.1037/1528-3542.8.2.267
M3 - Article
C2 - 18410200
AN - SCOPUS:43549088580
SN - 1528-3542
VL - 8
SP - 267
EP - 280
JO - Emotion
JF - Emotion
IS - 2
ER -