The Effect of Mood-Context on Visual Recognition and Recall Memory

ABSTRACT

Although it is widely known that memory is enhanced when encoding and retrieval occur in the same state, the impact of elevated stress/arousal is less understood. This study explores mood-dependent memory's effects on visual recognition and recall of material memorized either in a neutral mood or under higher stress/arousal levels. Participants’ (N = 60) recognition and recall were assessed while they experienced either the same or a mismatched mood at retrieval. The results suggested that both visual recognition and recall memory were higher when participants experienced the same mood at encoding and retrieval compared with those who experienced a mismatch in mood context between encoding and retrieval. These findings offer support for a mood dependency effect on both the recognition and recall of visual information.

Keywords:

• anxiety
• memory
• mood
• stress

AUTHOR NOTES

Sarita J. Robinson is based in the School of Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire. Her research focuses on neurochemical changes and cognitive functioning in high-pressure situations. Lucy J. L. Rollings in a postgraduate student specializing in the field of forensic psychology at the University of Central Lancashire.

The authors thank Belinda Bradley for the use of her mood-inducing film clips.