Exploring the Role of Emotion Processing in Face Memory in Dissociation Open Access

Abstract

Research has found that greater dissociation relates to both reduced brain activity and physiological responses for emotional content, as well as worse accuracy in identifying angry and fearful faces. Studies also suggest that emotional memory is impaired in dissociative populations. Given that emotion plays a major role in modulating memory formation, deficits in emotion processing in those with greater dissociation may then affect memory for faces, which are a consistent source of emotional content experienced in individuals’ daily lives. In this study, we investigated the relationships between dissociation, emotion processing, and face memory in an existing sample of 157 women aged 18-62. Dissociation, facial emotion recognition, face memory, word memory, attention, and childhood abuse were assessed. Results indicated no significant associations between dissociation and emotion recognition accuracy or reaction time for any emotions, as well as no association with face memory. However, we found marginally significant associations between dissociation and word memory and between attention and emotion recognition accuracy, irrespective of dissociation. Greater dissociation related to worse word memory, and worse attention scores related to worse emotion recognition accuracy. These findings suggest that dissociation may not have a significant impact on emotion processing or face memory, but it may relate to impairments in verbal memory.

Table of Contents

List of Tables ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….... i

List of Figures ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ii

Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1

Methods ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7

Results ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 14

Discussion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…. 16

References …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...... 28

Appendices ……………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………....….. 39

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Emory College
Department	Psychology
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive
Keyword	Memory Emotion Processing Dissociation
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Alexandra Cohen, Emory University
Committee Members	Patricia Brennan, Emory University Negar Fani, Emory University

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Exploring the Role of Emotion Processing in Face Memory in Dissociation ()	2024-04-09 17:47:13 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions