Approach motivation and cognitive resources combine to influence memory for positive emotional stimuli

Abstract

Inspired by the elaborated intrusion theory of desire, the current research tested the hypothesis that persons higher in trait approach motivation process positive stimuli deeply, which enhances memory for them. Ninety-four undergraduates completed a measure of trait approach motivation, viewed positive or negative image slideshows in the presence or absence of a cognitive load, and one week later completed an image memory test. Higher trait approach motivation predicted better memory for the positive slideshow, but this memory boost disappeared under cognitive load. Approach motivation did not influence memory for the negative slideshow. The current findings support the idea that individuals higher in approach motivation spontaneously devote limited resources to processing positive stimuli.

Keywords:

• Approach motivation
• Cognitive load
• Emotional memory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ Positive IAPS pictures: 2209, 4599, 5260, 5450, 5470, 5629, 5910, 7230, 7270, 7502, 8030, 8090, 8170, 8185, 8300, 8370, 8380, 8490, 8496, 8502. Negative IAPS pictures: 1274, 1300, 2703, 3016, 3071, 3170, 3180, 3350, 3530, 6250, 6313, 6510, 9300, 9410, 9560, 9571, 9620, 9622, 9635.1, 9902. Neutral IAPS pictures: 2102, 2385, 2397, 2410, 2480, 2595, 2840, 2870, 2890, 5130, 5535, 7025, 7031, 7040, 7110, 7150, 7217, 7491, 7590, 7705.