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Trauma films, information processing, and intrusive memory development
Emily A Holmes1, Chris R Brewin, Richard G Hennessy
1Psychology Department, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, United Kingdom. emily.holmes@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk
Journal of Experimental Psychology. General
|February 26, 2004
Summary
Concurrent tasks during trauma film viewing impact intrusive memory development. Visuospatial tasks reduce memory intrusions, while verbal tasks increase them, offering insights into posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Intrusive memories are a core symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Dual-representation theory suggests that how information is encoded influences memory consolidation and recall.
- Understanding factors affecting intrusive memory formation is crucial for developing interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of concurrent cognitive tasks during encoding on the development of intrusive memories.
- To test hypotheses derived from the dual-representation theory of PTSD.
- To examine the relationship between physiological and psychological states during encoding and subsequent intrusive memories.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted with nonclinical participants viewing a traumatic film.
- Participants engaged in different concurrent tasks (visuospatial vs. verbal distraction) during film encoding.
- Intrusive memories were recorded in a diary for one week; dissociation, heart rate, and mood were also measured.
Main Results:
- Performing a visuospatial pattern tapping task during encoding significantly reduced the frequency of later intrusive memories.
- Engaging in a verbal distraction task during encoding increased the frequency of intrusive memories.
- Intrusive memories were found to be largely unrelated to standard recall and recognition measures.
- Increased dissociation and decreased heart rate during the film viewing were associated with higher frequencies of later intrusive memories.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive load and task type during encoding critically influence the formation of intrusive memories.
- Visuospatial tasks may act as a protective factor against intrusive memory development, while verbal tasks may exacerbate it.
- Findings support the dual-representation theory and highlight the role of encoding processes in PTSD symptomatology.