My Blog Of Knowledge: Feeling Good May Not Be So Good for Short-Term Memory

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.on March 31, 2011

Mood Influences Memory in a Surprising Way A researcher has uncovered a good news, bad news finding: Although someone may be in a good mood, they may not remember what they have just heard.

A good mood, in fact, appears to decrease a person’s working memory capacity. Working memory is what we use to immediately recall information we may need while in a conversation.

“This explains why you might not be able to remember a phone number you get at a party when you are having a good time,” noted Elizabeth Martin, a doctoral student of psychology at the University of Missouri and lead author of the study.

Researchers gauged study participants’ mood before and after showing them a video clip. Some participants were shown a segment of a stand-up comedy routine, while others watched an instructional video on how to install flooring.

Following the videos, those that viewed the comedy routine were in significantly better moods after viewing the video, while the mood of those that viewed the flooring video had not changed.

After watching the videos, both groups completed a memory test. This test provides several numbers to a participant through headphones at a rate of four numbers per second. After the recording stopped, participants were asked to recall the last six numbers in order.

Those that watched the comedy routine and were in a better mood performed significantly worse on the task.

“While working memory storage is decreased, being in a good mood is not all bad,” Martin said. “Being in a good mood has been shown to increase creative problem-solving skills and other aspects of thinking.”

Martin said future research should analyze the impact of mood on working memory storage capacity in real life situations, such as a classroom setting.

“This research is the first to show that positive mood can negatively impact working memory storage capacity.”

The study was published earlier this year in the journal Cognition and Emotion.

Source: University of Missouri

Related News Articles
-->Related Clinical Articles
-->

Brain and Behavior, General, Health-related, LifeHelper, Memory and Perception, Mental Health and Wellness, Professional, Psychology, Research -->

NewsAddictionADHDAdvocacy and PolicyAggression and ViolenceAgingAgoraphobiaAlcoholismAlzheimer'sAnorexiaAnxietyAutismBipolarBlogrollBrain and BehaviorBulimiaChildren and TeensDepressionDissociationDomestic ViolenceEating DisordersFDA AlertFeaturedGeneralGeneticsHealth-relatedLifeHelperMedicationsMemory and PerceptionMental Health and WellnessNeuropsychology and NeurologyOCDpainPanic DisorderParentingParkinson'sPersonalityPhobiasPoliticsProfessionalPsoriasisPsychologyPsychotherapyPTSDRelationships and SexualityResearchSchizophreniaSleepSocial PhobiaStressStudentsSubstance AbuseSuicideTechnologyWork and Career

ArchivesApril 2011March 2011February 2011January 2011December 2010November 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010200820072006Older News Stumble This Article Print Email From Our News BureauFacebook Revealed to be Psychology Experiment Gone Wrong Brain Volume Reductions Found in Teen Boys with Conduct Disorder Insights on the 'Aha' Moment
Just Published...An Open DoorOkay – I’m Ready To Be A Survivor Again!How to Shift to a More Positive Mindset
What's Hot5 Top Skills Proven to Entice Your Mate to Love & Respect YouadvertisementMost Popular NewsFacebook Revealed to be Psychology Experiment Gone Wrong Brain Volume Reductions Found in Teen Boys with Conduct Disorder Insights on the 'Aha' Moment Media Influences Change in Female Roles Relieve Stress, Moderate Sleep to Help Lose Weight Social Anxiety in Children Linked to Nonverbal Communication Failures Depression Dulls Sensitivity to Partner's Thoughts, Feelings No Afterglow But Blues Instead for Many Women Scientists Find New Piece in Schizophrenia Puzzle FDA Reviews Claims that Artificial Food Dyes Contribute to Hyperactive Behavior Most Popular Blog PostsHas Psychiatry Really Abandoned Psychotherapy? Behind the New York Times Story Do You Feel Like a Fake? Google Science Fair 2011 How to Be Afraid: An Interview with Taylor Clark How to Spot a Narcissist Pediatrics Gets it Wrong about 'Facebook Depression' 33 Favorite Self-Help Books of Psychologists How Long For Good Sex? 5 Minutes Will Do Is Grief a Mental Disorder? No, But it May Become One! Pristiq versus Effexor XR Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter

advertisement
Find a Therapist

Users Online: 3301
Join Us Now!
Local GuidesAll Guides
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Need to chat with someone now? Live therapists are available 24/7 to chat online--> #footer { height:220px; } #foot-mid { margin:0 0 0 40px; } Home • About Us • Advertise with Us • Contact Us
Privacy Policy • Terms of Use • Site Map • Disclaimer/Disclosure • Feeds