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Updated: May 24, 2026

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Memory-Enhancing Effect of Emotion
Published on: May 4, 2011
[Is an optimistic memory less easily influenced by negative than by positive emotions?]
Vicent Blai Beneyto Molina1, Enrique García Fernández-Abascal
1Centro Asociado de Alzira-Valencia, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, 46600 Alzira, Spain. vbbeneyto@valencia.uned.es
Abstract:
This work examines whether a positive personality trait, such as optimism, can reduce bias in differential words recalled after inducing a certain emotion. After showing a list of words with various emotional valences to a group of 59 subjects, a specific emotional state was induced. Subsequently, the subjects were asked to recall the list of words. The results obtained indicated that less optimistic subjects had a tendency to recall and recognize a greater number of negative words when in a negative emotional condition. Statistical significance was reached in the female group's negative word recognition when experiencing negative emotion.
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