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Abstract:
Abstract: This study uses a novel technique to examine the
effects of emotional content and context on word recall. Methods:
Two sets of sentences were devised: in the first, each sentence was
emotionally arousing due to the inclusion of an emotional "target"
word. The second set was identical, except the "targets" were
replaced by neutral words. Emotional and neutral "targets" were
matched for word length and to within one standard deviation on
measures of frequency, concreteness, familiarity and imageability.
Without knowing that a recall task would follow, subjects read
aloud a selection of emotional and neutral sentences. This
constituted the encoding phase. After a delay of either five
minutes or one hour, subjects were tested with a forced choice
recall task in which word trios were presented. Each trio comprised
a word that had been presented in the sentences (either a "target
word" or another word), and two distracters. Subjects were asked to
identify which word had been presented at encoding. Results:
Emotional "target words" were remembered significantly better than
neutral. When recall of other (non-target) words was tested, it was
found that recall was significantly enhanced if the word had been
seen in an emotional context. The implications of this finding for
the study of emotion and memory, and possible future application of
the test to clinical populations, are discussed.
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