The effect of modality specific interference on working memory in recalling aversive auditory and visual memories

This study found that recalling emotional memories while performing another task taxes working memory in general, but the effect is strongest when the secondary task matches the memory’s sensory modality (e.g., visual task with visual memory).

Article Abstract

“Both auditory and visual emotional memories can be made less emotional by loading working memory (WM) during memory recall. Taxing WM during recall can be modality specific (giving an auditory [visuospatial] load during recall of an auditory [visual] memory) or cross modal (an auditory load during visual recall or vice versa). We tested whether modality specific loading taxes WM to a larger extent than cross modal loading. Ninety-six participants undertook a visual and auditory baseline Random Interval Repetition task (i.e. responding as fast as possible to a visual or auditory stimulus by pressing a button). Then, participants recalled a distressing visual and auditory memory, while performing the same visual and auditory Random Interval Repetition task. Increased reaction times (compared to baseline) were indicative of WM loading. Using Bayesian statistics, we compared five models in terms of general and modality specific taxation. There was support for the model describing the effect on WM of dual tasking in general, irrespective of modality specificity, and for the model describing the effect of modality specific loading. Both models combined gained the most support. The results suggest a general effect of dual tasking on taxing WM and a superimposed effect of taxing in matched modality.”

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Matthijessen, S. J. M. A., van Schie, K., & Van den Hout, M. A. (2019). The effect of modality specific interference on working memory in recalling aversive auditory and visual memories. Cognition and Emotion, 33(6), 1169-1180. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2018.1547271