Working memory load reduces the electrocortical processing of positive pictures

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Affective Science
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Emotion regulation research predominantly focuses on decreasing negative emotions.
• Non-affective mechanisms, like cognitive load, influence emotional responses.
• Previous studies show cognitive load impacts the late positive potential (LPP) for negative/neutral stimuli and positive words/faces, but not positive scenes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if working memory load modulates the LPP response to positive emotional scenes.
• To explore mechanisms of positive emotion regulation, a less-examined area.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded from 41 participants.
• Participants performed a working memory task with concurrent presentation of positive and neutral scenes.
• Manipulated working memory load (high vs. low) during scene presentation.

Main Results:

• The LPP was significantly larger for positive scenes compared to neutral scenes.
• The LPP was reduced under high working memory load compared to low load.
• Working memory performance was impaired under high load; no significant correlation found between LPP and working memory performance.

Conclusions:

• Working memory load effectively reduces the psychophysiological response (LPP) to positive emotional scenes.
• Findings contribute to understanding the non-affective mechanisms of positive emotion regulation.
• Highlights the role of cognitive load in modulating attention to emotionally salient positive stimuli.