Directed forgetting of recently recalled autobiographical memories.
Abstract
In 6 experiments, the authors investigated list-method directed forgetting of recently recalled autobiographical memories. Reliable directed forgetting effects were observed across all experiments. In 4 experiments, the authors examined the impact of memory valence on directed forgetting. The forget instruction impaired recall of negative, positive, and neutral memories equally, although overall, participants recalled fewer unemotional memories than emotional memories. The preexisting organization of memories enhanced the directed forgetting effect, and a release from forgetting occurred only when the forgotten memories were directly cued. The authors discuss the roles of emotion, retrieval dynamics, and organization in these effects and suggest that the directed forgetting of recently recalled autobiographical memories may reflect the inhibition of recently formed memories of remembering, that is, episodic inhibition. The authors consider the implications of these findings for the control of autobiographical remembering in everyday life.
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Individuals can intentionally forget and suppress autobiographical memories.
“Interestingly, it has been shown that individuals can intentionally forget and suppress autobiographical memories (Barnier et al., 2007;Joslyn & Oakes, 2005;Noreen & MacLeod, 2013).”
From Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model (2024) · cites this paper as Barnier et al., 2007
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“Memories that are available and accessible can be consciously brought to awareness (as indexed by explicit memory tests), memories that are available but not currently accessible remain outside of awareness but may influence ongoing experience (as indexed by implicit memory tests; Schacter, 1987), and memories that ar…”
BackgroundThe Psychology of Life Stories
McAdams, D. P. (2001) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/1089-2680.5.2.100 · Cited by 2,808 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Autobiographical memories are often associated with strong emotions (Conway & Fthenaki, 2003; Conway & PleydellPearce, 2000; McAdams, 2001; Pillemer, 1998; Singer & Salovey, 1993).”
BackgroundPsychological theories of posttraumatic stress disorder
Brewin, C. R., & Holmes, E. A. (2003) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/s0272-7358(03)00033-3 · Cited by 1,132 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Avoidance of cues that trigger unwanted recall is a feature of psychological disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, and can lead to extreme and persistent maladaptive behavior (for a recent review, see Brewin & Holmes, 2003).”
BackgroundRethinking interference theory: Executive control and the mechanisms of forgetting.
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Neural mechanisms of motivated forgetting
Anderson, M. C., & Hanslmayr, S. (2014) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2014.03.002 · Cited by 533 · see citing works
Dunn, B. D., Billotti, D., Murphy, V., & Dalgleish, T. (2009) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2009.05.007 · Cited by 214 · see citing works
Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model
Hutmacher, F., Appel, M., & Schwan, S. (2024) · Psychological Inquiry · doi:10.1080/1047840x.2024.2384125 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
- Authors
- Barnier, A. J., Conway, M. A., Mayoh, L., Speyer, J., Avizmil, O., & Harris, C. B.
- Affiliations
- University of Leeds (GB)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Venue
- Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
- Published
- 2007-05
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 301-322
- ISSN
- 0096-3445 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-2222
- OpenAlex
- W2078214916
- Cited by
- 96
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 4.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Experimental Psychology General (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Australian Research Council (DP0449447)
- Economic and Social Research Council (R000239395)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Keywords
- directed forgetting, autobiographical memory, memory valence, emotional memory, memory organization, retrieval dynamics, memory control
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Affect, Autobiographies as Topic, Female, Humans, Inhibition, Psychological, Male, Memory, Middle Aged, Psychology, Mental Recall, Time Factors
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