Challenging memories reduces intrusive memories and the memory amplification effect.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Challenging memories reduces intrusive memories and the memory amplification effect.
Authors: Li, Chunlin (AUTHOR), Otgaar, Henry (AUTHOR), Battista, Fabiana (AUTHOR), Muris, Peter (AUTHOR), Wang, Jianqin (AUTHOR)
Source: Memory. Sep2023, Vol. 31 Issue 8, p1039-1050. 12p.
Subjects: Memory, Recognition (Psychology), Autobiographical memory, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Task performance, Emotional trauma, Visual analog scale, Pre-tests & post-tests, Visual perception, Health attitudes, Descriptive statistics, Research funding, Questionnaires, Emotions, Video recording
Abstract: This study scrutinizes the influence of attenuating beliefs about the veracity of traumatic experiences on the manifestation of intrusive recollections and the memory amplification effect. Participants were exposed to distress-inducing visual stimuli, subsequently rating their emotional status pre and post exposure. They engaged in a recognition task, identifying scenarios within the stimuli. Participants' recall was contested, casting doubt about the occurrence of certain scenes. Subsequently, they maintained a daily log of intrusive memories over a week. A second session reiterated the same process. This method effectively diminished the certainty in the participants' traumatic memories. Scenes whose occurrence was contested demonstrated a significant decline in both intrusive memories and memory amplification when juxtaposed with uncontested ones. Interestingly, no significant correlation emerged between the diminished belief in traumatic incidents and reductions in intrusive memory or memory amplification. Thus, this study advocates that interrogating the veracity of traumatic recollections can mitigate the prevalence of intrusive memories and the memory amplification effect, suggesting a novel potential therapeutic approach for trauma-related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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Abstract:This study scrutinizes the influence of attenuating beliefs about the veracity of traumatic experiences on the manifestation of intrusive recollections and the memory amplification effect. Participants were exposed to distress-inducing visual stimuli, subsequently rating their emotional status pre and post exposure. They engaged in a recognition task, identifying scenarios within the stimuli. Participants' recall was contested, casting doubt about the occurrence of certain scenes. Subsequently, they maintained a daily log of intrusive memories over a week. A second session reiterated the same process. This method effectively diminished the certainty in the participants' traumatic memories. Scenes whose occurrence was contested demonstrated a significant decline in both intrusive memories and memory amplification when juxtaposed with uncontested ones. Interestingly, no significant correlation emerged between the diminished belief in traumatic incidents and reductions in intrusive memory or memory amplification. Thus, this study advocates that interrogating the veracity of traumatic recollections can mitigate the prevalence of intrusive memories and the memory amplification effect, suggesting a novel potential therapeutic approach for trauma-related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:09658211
DOI:10.1080/09658211.2023.2218631