Eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of "flashforwards"

Behaviour Research and Therapy
Iris M EngelhardJorinde van der Beek

Abstract

Earlier studies have shown that eye movements during retrieval of disturbing images about past events reduce their vividness and emotionality, which may be due to both tasks competing for working memory resources. This study examined whether eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of visual distressing images about feared future events: "flashforwards". A non-clinical sample was asked to select two images of feared future events, which were self-rated for vividness and emotionality. These images were retrieved while making eye movements or without a concurrent secondary task, and then vividness and emotionality were rated again. Relative to the no-dual task condition, eye movements while thinking of future-oriented images resulted in decreased ratings of image vividness and emotional intensity. Apparently, eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of visual images about past and future feared events. This is in line with a working memory account of the beneficial effects of eye movements, which predicts that any task that taxes working memory during retrieval of disturbing mental images will be beneficial.

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Citations

Jan 1, 2010·European Journal of Psychotraumatology·Iris M EngelhardMarcel A van den Hout
Aug 16, 2012·European Journal of Psychotraumatology·Iris M Engelhard
May 17, 2011·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Marcel A van den HoutArne Leer
Nov 16, 2010·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Iris M EngelhardMonique A M Smeets
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Apr 3, 2010·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Corin BourneEmily A Holmes
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Feb 28, 2021·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Elze LandkroonIris M Engelhard
Jun 17, 2019·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Elze LandkroonIris M Engelhard
Jul 2, 2021·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Gaëtan MertensIris M Engelhard

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