Abstract
Working memory (WM) is a dynamic system responsible for maintaining and processing information, and controlling attention (Engle & Kane, 2004). Although WM remains stable during adulthood, it is altered by a variety of factors including affect (Ilkowska & Engle, 2010). However, there remains debate regarding whether the impact of affect on working memory is driven by positive or negative affect. For instance, negative affect impairs WM performance due to increases in Task Unrelated Thoughts (TUTs; Curci, Lanciano, Soleti & Rime, 2013). High levels of TUTs reduce performance on a variety of cognitive functions, including sustained attention (McVay & Kane, 2009) and working memory (Banks, Welhaf, & Srour, 2015). While negative affect may decrease WM performance, other research demonstrates that positive affect may increase WM performance (Yang, Yang, & Isen, 2012), possibly due to a reduction in TUTs. The current study was designed to examine the role of the emotional valence of the TUTs in explaining the relationship between affect and WM. NSU undergraduates (N = 45) completed a WM task that included thought probes to measure TUTs. Participants then completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Preliminary results did not indicate a direct relationship between WM task performance and either positive or negative affect. However, mediation analyses indicated an indirect effect of positive affect on WM performance, such that positive affect decreased negative TUTs which resulted in a subsequent increase in WM performance. These findings suggest that the valence of TUTs may alter the relationship between affect and WM.
Faculty Sponsors
Jonathan B. Banks, Ph.D.
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-10-2015 1:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2015 5:30 PM
The Dark Side of Mind Wandering: Examining the Impact of Emotionally Valenced Task Unrelated Thoughts on Working Memory
Alvin Sherman Library
Working memory (WM) is a dynamic system responsible for maintaining and processing information, and controlling attention (Engle & Kane, 2004). Although WM remains stable during adulthood, it is altered by a variety of factors including affect (Ilkowska & Engle, 2010). However, there remains debate regarding whether the impact of affect on working memory is driven by positive or negative affect. For instance, negative affect impairs WM performance due to increases in Task Unrelated Thoughts (TUTs; Curci, Lanciano, Soleti & Rime, 2013). High levels of TUTs reduce performance on a variety of cognitive functions, including sustained attention (McVay & Kane, 2009) and working memory (Banks, Welhaf, & Srour, 2015). While negative affect may decrease WM performance, other research demonstrates that positive affect may increase WM performance (Yang, Yang, & Isen, 2012), possibly due to a reduction in TUTs. The current study was designed to examine the role of the emotional valence of the TUTs in explaining the relationship between affect and WM. NSU undergraduates (N = 45) completed a WM task that included thought probes to measure TUTs. Participants then completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Preliminary results did not indicate a direct relationship between WM task performance and either positive or negative affect. However, mediation analyses indicated an indirect effect of positive affect on WM performance, such that positive affect decreased negative TUTs which resulted in a subsequent increase in WM performance. These findings suggest that the valence of TUTs may alter the relationship between affect and WM.
