title: Positive mood is associated with the implicit use of distraction.
abstract: Previous research demonstrates that individuals in a positive mood are differentially distracted by irrelevant information during an ongoing task (Rowe et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci 104:383-388, 2007). The present study investigated whether susceptibility to distraction shown by individuals in a positive mood results in greater implicit memory for that distraction. Participants performed a similarity-judgment task on pictures that were superimposed with distracting words. When these previously distracting words could be used as solutions on a delayed implicit task administered several minutes later, performance was positively correlated with pleasantness of mood. Individuals in a positive mood are more likely than others to use previously irrelevant information to facilitate performance on a subsequent implicit task, a finding with implications for the relationship between positive mood and creativity.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada, The Rotman Research Institute of Baycrest Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Renée K
authors: RK
authors: Biss
authors: Lynn
authors: L
authors: Hasher
authors: Ruthann C
authors: RC
authors: Thomas