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Updated: May 19, 2026
15:57
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Memory-Enhancing Effect of Emotion
Published on: May 4, 2011
Aging and long-term memory for emotionally valenced events.
Carolyn W Breslin1, Martin A Safer
1Department of Psychology, Catholic University of America, Washington,DC 20064, USA.
Psychology and Aging
|August 15, 2012
Summary
Older and younger Boston Red Sox fans recalled emotional memories differently. Age did not impact memory accuracy or vividness, but older fans recalled only sadness, while younger fans recalled sadness and anger.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Memory Studies
Background:
- Socioemotional selectivity theory predicts age-related differences in memory.
- Emotional events are often remembered vividly, but age effects on memory for emotional events are complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in memory for emotional sports events.
- To examine how age influences the accuracy, vividness, and emotional recall of significant team victories and losses.
Main Methods:
- 1103 Boston Red Sox fans (aged 18-87) were surveyed in 2008.
- Participants answered questions about their memories of the 2003 team loss and 2004 team win against the New York Yankees.
- Data collected included memory accuracy, subjective vividness, and emotional recall.
Main Results:
- No significant age interactions were found for memory accuracy, vividness, or rehearsal.
- Older fans (65+) recalled only sadness regarding the 2003 loss.
- Younger fans (25 and under) recalled both sadness and anger regarding the 2003 loss.
Conclusions:
- Age did not affect the accuracy or vividness of memories for the sports events.
- Emotional recall of negative events may be influenced by age and potentially by remembered goals.
- Findings suggest that while memory details may be consistent across ages, the emotional valence of recalled feelings can differ.
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