Remembering emotional experiences: the contribution of valence and arousal.
Emotional experiences can be described by two factors: valence (how negative or positive) and arousal (how calming or exciting). Although both dimensions appear to influence memory, they may do so via distinct mechanisms. The amygdala likely plays a specific role in modulating memory for arousing experiences, whereas non-amygdalar networks may be instrumental in enhancing memory for non-arousing positive or negative events.
Kensinger
Elizabeth A
EA
Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Cambridge, MA, USA. ekensing@wjh.harvard.edu
D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D019260:Expressed Emotion / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology