Autobiographical Memory for Emotional Events: A Test of the ‘Warning Signal’ Hypothesis

IF 1.8 3区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, EXPERIMENTAL

Applied Cognitive Psychology Pub Date : 2025-08-17 DOI:10.1002/acp.70106

Andrea Rustand, Tim Brennen, Tore Wentzel-Larsen, Øivind Solberg, Ines Blix

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Abstract

According to the warning signal hypothesis, memory may be enhanced for peripheral details occurring immediately before a traumatic experience to signal potential danger if encountered again. This idea contrasts with research demonstrating a temporal memory trade-off, where central details of distressing events are prioritised over peripheral information occurring immediately before or after. This study aimed to experimentally test the warning signal hypothesis, by comparing episodic details from neutral, positive and negative/trauma-related autobiographical memories. Participants (N = 175) wrote short narratives to facilitate recall of each event and the moments leading up to it, then rated their memories on vividness and level of detail. Memories of moments preceding emotional experiences were recalled with greater vividness and detail compared to neutral experiences. Contrary to the warning signal hypothesis, the prioritisation of preceding stimuli does not appear specific to traumatic experiences and may instead reflect a general mechanism prioritising temporally proximal and emotionally significant information.

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情绪事件的自传式记忆：“警告信号”假说的检验

根据警告信号假说，记忆可能会增强对创伤经历之前发生的周边细节的记忆，从而在再次遇到潜在危险时发出信号。这一观点与证明时间记忆权衡的研究形成了对比，在这种权衡中，痛苦事件的中心细节优先于发生在之前或之后的外围信息。本研究旨在通过比较中性、积极和消极/创伤相关自传体记忆的情节细节，实验验证警告信号假说。参与者（N = 175）写简短的叙述来帮助回忆每个事件和导致事件发生的时刻，然后根据生动程度和细节程度对他们的记忆进行评分。与中性经历相比，情绪经历之前的记忆更清晰、更详细。与警告信号假说相反，先前刺激的优先次序似乎并不特定于创伤经历，而是可能反映了一种普遍的机制，即优先考虑暂时近端和情感上重要的信息。

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来源期刊

Applied Cognitive Psychology PSYCHOLOGY, EXPERIMENTAL-

CiteScore

4.30

自引率

8.30%

发文量

111

期刊介绍： Applied Cognitive Psychology seeks to publish the best papers dealing with psychological analyses of memory, learning, thinking, problem solving, language, and consciousness as they occur in the real world. Applied Cognitive Psychology will publish papers on a wide variety of issues and from diverse theoretical perspectives. The journal focuses on studies of human performance and basic cognitive skills in everyday environments including, but not restricted to, studies of eyewitness memory, autobiographical memory, spatial cognition, skill training, expertise and skilled behaviour. Articles will normally combine realistic investigations of real world events with appropriate theoretical analyses and proper appraisal of practical implications.