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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
11:30
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotional Autobiographical Recollection
Published on: August 26, 2011
SenseCam, imagery and bias in memory for wellbeing
Fionnuala C Murphy1, Philip J Barnard, Kayleigh A M Terry
1MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK. fionnuala.murphy@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk
Memory (Hove, England)
|March 19, 2011
Summary
This study shows that using SenseCam footage with positive captions and mental imagery can improve mood and memory for everyday tasks. This bias modification technique may help reduce negative interpretation biases associated with depression.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Negative interpretation bias is a key feature of depression.
- Mental imagery effectively modifies emotional bias, but often uses static stimuli.
- SenseCam technology offers dynamic, self-relevant stimuli for bias modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate SenseCam's utility in a bias modification paradigm.
- To assess the impact of positive vs. negative captions on mood and memory.
- To explore the role of mental imagery in this process.
Main Methods:
- Participants viewed ambiguous tasks and subsequent SenseCam footage.
- SenseCam footage was paired with negative or positive captions.
- Participants used mental imagery to link footage and captions.
Main Results:
- Positive captions led to improved mood (happier, less sad) and task enjoyment.
- Emotional bias shift persisted at 24-hour follow-up.
- Mental imagery was identified as a crucial component.
Conclusions:
- SenseCam, combined with mental imagery, can shift mood and memory for wellbeing in healthy volunteers.
- This bias modification approach shows promise for everyday activities.
- Further research is needed for application in clinical depression.
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