title: Enhancing memory and imagination improves problem solving among individuals with depression.
abstract: Recent work has revealed links between memory, imagination, and problem solving, and suggests that increasing access to detailed memories can lead to improved imagination and problem-solving performance. Depression is often associated with overgeneral memory and imagination, along with problem-solving deficits. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that an interview designed to elicit detailed recollections would enhance imagination and problem solving among both depressed and nondepressed participants. In a within-subjects design, participants completed a control interview or an episodic specificity induction prior to completing memory, imagination, and problem-solving tasks. Results revealed that compared to the control interview, the episodic specificity induction fostered increased detail generation in memory and imagination and more relevant steps on the problem-solving task among depressed and nondepressed participants. This study builds on previous work by demonstrating that a brief interview can enhance problem solving among individuals with depression and supports the notion that episodic memory plays a key role in problem solving. It should be noted, however, that the results of the interview are relatively short-lived.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Skaggs 143, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA. craig.mcfarland@umontana.edu.
authors.forename: Craig P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Skaggs 143, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Primosch
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Skaggs 143, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.
authors.forename: Chelsey M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Maxson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Skaggs 143, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.
authors.forename: Brandon T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depression; Imagination; Memory; Problem solving