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Article
Brooding Deficits in Memory: Focusing Attention Improves Subsequent Recall
Cognition and Emotion
  • Paula T Hertel, Trinity University
  • Amanda A Benbow, Trinity University
  • E. Geraerts
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2012
Abstract

Ruminative habits of thought about one’s problems and the resulting consequences are correlated with symptoms of depression and cognitive biases (Nolen-Hoeksema, Wisco, & Lyubomirsky, 2008). In our orienting task, brooders and nonbrooders concentrated on self-focusing phrases while they were also exposed to neutral target words. On each trial in the unfocused condition, participants saw and then reported the target before concentrating on the phrase; in the focused condition, the target was reported after phrase concentration. A brooding-related deficit on a subsequent unexpected test of free and forced recall was obtained in the unfocused condition only. Brooders recalled more successfully in the focused than in the unfocused condition. Thus, impaired recall of material unrelated to self-concerns may be corrected in situations that constrain attention.

Identifier
10.1080/02699931.2012.668852
Publisher
Routledge
Citation Information
Hertel, P.T., Benbow, A.A., & Geraerts, E. (2012). Brooding deficits in memory: Focusing attention improves subsequent recall. Cognition and Emotion, 26(8), 1516-1525. doi: 10.1080/02699931.2012.668852