Unconscious memory bias in depression: perceptual and conceptual processes.
Mood-congruent memory (MCM) bias in depression was investigated using 4 different implicit memory tests. Two of the implicit tests were perceptually driven, and 2 were conceptually driven. Depressed participants and nondepressed controls were assigned to 1 of 4 implicit memory tests after studying positive and negative adjectives. Results showed no MCM bias in the perceptually driven tests. MCM was demonstrated in 1 of the conceptually driven tests, but only for adjectives that were conceptually encoded. Results support the theory that mood-congruent processes in depression are limited to conceptual processing. However, activation of conceptual processes may not be sufficient for demonstrating mood congruency.
Watkins
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PC
Department of Psychology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney 99004-2431, USA. philip.watkins@mail.ewu.edu
Martin
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CK
Stern
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LD
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003210:Concept Formation; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D010465:Perception; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology; D014936:Word Association Tests