Chilling and Blurring Negative Memories: An Experimental Memory Training Study

The present study examined the extent to which broadening attentional scope (BAS) during acquisition and working memory interference (WMI) during reconsolidation could influence the memory formation process.

A total of 95 participants were randomly assigned to inactive control (n=30), BAS (n=33), and WMI (n=32) groups. While watching a traumatic film, the participants in the BAS group were instructed to allocate their attention to the peripheral details of the film. In contrast, participants in the WMI group performed certain spatial working memory tasks. Memory vividness and emotionality were assessed before and after the intervention using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Valence, arousal, and dominance were measured by the self-assessment manikin (SAM) immediately after watching the film. Moreover, all participants were asked to record their intrusive memories for 3 days after the experiment. Statistical software package SPSS, version 24.0 was used for group comparisons.

Our results suggested that interfering with visuospatial working memory during the retrieval of emotionally valenced memories could significantly reduce the level of vividness of mental images from pre- to post-assessments (P=0.004). However, in terms of emotionality, arousal, dominance, and the number of intrusive memories, we found no significant differences between the three groups.

Participants in the WMI group outperformed those in the control group in blurring the negatively valenced memory at the post-assessment. In contrast to our primary assumption, BAS did not result in any significant changes compared to the other two groups. Future studies with larger sample sizes and objective measurements may provide additional evidence on the efficacy of these methods, particularly in the context of clinical implications.