The Effect of modality specific interference on working memory in recalling aversive auditory and visual memories^*

* SM and MvH developed the study concept. SM and KvS contributed to the study design, KvS programmed the RIR task, SM was responsible for data collection and SM and KvS for data analysis. SM drafted the manuscript, KvS and MvH provided critical revisions

ABSTRACT

Both auditory and visual emotional memories can be made less emotional by loading working memory (WM) during memory recall. Taxing WM during recall can be modality specific (giving an auditory [visuospatial] load during recall of an auditory [visual] memory) or cross modal (an auditory load during visual recall or vice versa). We tested whether modality specific loading taxes WM to a larger extent than cross modal loading. Ninety-six participants undertook a visual and auditory baseline Random Interval Repetition task (i.e. responding as fast as possible to a visual or auditory stimulus by pressing a button). Then, participants recalled a distressing visual and auditory memory, while performing the same visual and auditory Random Interval Repetition task. Increased reaction times (compared to baseline) were indicative of WM loading. Using Bayesian statistics, we compared five models in terms of general and modality specific taxation. There was support for the model describing the effect on WM of dual tasking in general, irrespective of modality specificity, and for the model describing the effect of modality specific loading. Both models combined gained the most support. The results suggest a general effect of dual tasking on taxing WM and a superimposed effect of taxing in matched modality.

KEYWORDS:

• Modality specific taxing
• auditory memories
• working memory taxation
• random interval repetition task
• Bayesian statistics
• EMDR

Acknowledgements

We thank Timothy Thodé and Folkert Schilthuis for their help in collecting the data.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Suzy J. M. A. Matthijssen http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5537-112X

Notes

* SM and MvH developed the study concept. SM and KvS contributed to the study design, KvS programmed the RIR task, SM was responsible for data collection and SM and KvS for data analysis. SM drafted the manuscript, KvS and MvH provided critical revisions

Additional information

Funding

A small grant from the Dutch EMDR association was awarded to Suzy Matthijssen. Marcel van den Hout is supported by a TOP grant [number: 40-00812-98-12030] from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw).