Arousal cues arousal-related material in memory: implications for understanding effects of mood on memory

Abstract

Evidence is presented that (1) arousal acts as a cue for arousal related material in memory, and (2) this effect may partially underlie mood cuing mood-related material from memory. Specifically, two studies are presented showing that material people learn when in a high arousal state and material they learn when in a normal arousal state is subsequently best recalled when they are in a similar arousal state. Then a brief review of literature and a third study are presented supporting the claim that arousal acting as a cue for arousal-related material in memory may provide a partial explanation for why moods cue similarly toned material from memory. The literature review reveals that positive mood inducers elicit elevated autonomic arousal and the third study shows that elevated arousal in combination with a positive mood enhances the effect the positive mood has on subsequent judgments, whereas arousal by itself has no impact on judgments. Finally, it is suggested that arousal acting as a cue for arousal-related material in memory may account for such previously observed phenomena as state-dependent memory effects produced by alcohol and drugs, “misattribution” of arousal, “excitation transfer,” and effects that arousal has been shown to have on self-focus and humor.