Cited by 78Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesIdentity, Memory, and TherapyMemory Processes and Influences

Images of the self in social anxiety: effects on the retrieval of autobiographical memories

Stopa, Lusia, Jenkins, Andy·2007·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

Abstract

Cognitive models of social phobia propose that negative self-images play an important role in maintaining anxiety. This study examines the effect of holding a positive or a negative image in mind during a speech on the retrieval of autobiographical memories. Twenty high socially anxious participants performed a standard autobiographical memory task (AMT), which used positive, negative and neutral cue words. Participants performed the AMT twice: once after giving a speech holding a positive image and once while holding a negative image. Participants were more anxious and rated their performance worse in the negative image condition. Negative memories were retrieved faster in the negative image condition and positive memories were retrieved faster in the positive image condition. In the negative image condition, positive memories were retrieved more slowly than either negative or neutral memories. Inhibition and facilitation are proposed as two processes that could explain the effects of differently valenced imagery on autobiographical memory. The clear evidence for an inhibitory effect on positive autobiographical memories in the negative imagery condition is considered in relation to Brewin's [(2006). Understanding cognitive behaviour therapy: A retrieval competition account. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 765-784] retrieval competition hypothesis. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the potential role of inhibition in imagery rescripting.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jbtep.2007.08.006

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  • Over time, negative attentional biases in SAD may manifest in a general negative self-concept, greater access to negative self-related imagery in social situations, and heightened access to negative autobiographical memories, serving to maintain the shame-bound sense of self among individuals with SAD.

    “Over time, negative attentional biases in SAD may manifest in a general negative self-concept (100), greater access to negative self-related imagery in social situations (101) and heightened access to negative autobiographical memories (102), serving to maintain the shame-bound sense of self among individuals with SAD.”

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Authors
Stopa, L., & Jenkins, A.
Affiliations
University of Southampton (GB)
Corresponding author
Stopa, Lusia
Venue
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2007-12
Volume
38
Issue
4
Pages
459-473
ISSN
0005-7916 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2087517612
Cited by
78
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 7
FWCI
4.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
Keywords
social anxiety, self-image, autobiographical memory retrieval, negative self-concept, positive self-concept, speech performance, memory inhibition, imagery rescripting
MeSH terms
Adult, Anxiety, Cues, Female, Humans, Imagination, Male, Memory, Phobic Disorders, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychological Tests, Self Concept

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