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Published on: February 1, 2012
Clearing the mind: a working memory model of distraction from negative mood
Lotte F Van Dillen1, Sander L Koole
1Department of Social Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. L.F.van.Dillen@psy.vu.nl
Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
|November 28, 2007
Summary
Loading working memory (WM) can reduce negative moods by preventing mood-congruent processing. Increased WM demands distracted participants from negative emotional stimuli, improving mood.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Affective Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Negative moods are often sustained by mood-congruent cognitive processing.
- Working memory (WM) plays a crucial role in cognitive control and emotional regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if and how engaging working memory can attenuate negative mood states.
- To explore the mechanisms by which working memory load influences emotional processing.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted exposing participants to neutral, weakly negative, or strongly negative pictures.
- Working memory load was manipulated through task presence, complexity, and predictability.
- Mood was assessed using a mood scale following the tasks.
Main Results:
- High working memory load significantly reduced negative mood reports compared to low load in negative trials.
- Working memory load did not influence mood in neutral trials.
- High working memory load eliminated the difference in reported mood between weakly and strongly negative pictures.
Conclusions:
- Engaging working memory can disrupt mood-congruent cognitive processes.
- Working memory load serves as a distraction mechanism, effectively reducing negative mood.
- Cognitive load is a viable strategy for emotional regulation.
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