The Daily Stat: Negative Images Boost Unrelated Memories

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JULY 15, 2011 Negative Images Boost Unrelated Memories People who viewed an image of a dead cat (or something equally negative) after recalling a newly learned Swahili word were better at later remembering the word than people who viewed a neutral image, say Bridgid Finn and Henry L. Roediger III of Washington University. The viewers of negative images remembered 57% of what they had previously recalled, compared with 44% for people who saw neutral pictures. An emotionally arousing event may enhance "reconsolidation" of memory because the brain's emotional centers have close connections with the reconsolidation region, the researchers say. Source: Enhancing Retention Through Reconsolidation: Negative Emotional Arousal Following Retrieval Enhances Later Recall Share Today's Stat: FEATURED PRODUCT Collective Memory and Intergroup Leadership: Israel as a Case Study HBR Press Book Chapter Collective memory is the recollection of what has been experienced in common by a group, a notion separate from individual memory. Collective memory is a powerful force that consolidates cohesion within a group, which tends to become more accentuated in times of conflict. The more traumatic the past, the stronger the collective memory's effect on the present. This chapter focuses on the different ways leaders in Israel have harnessed the power of collective memory: either to exacerbate conflict with an outside group or to encourage reconciliation. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Stat: BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done PREVIOUS STATS Fewer Youth Say They'd Work If They Had Plenty of Money A Few Euros per Day Keeps Drivers Off Roads Rise in Motorcycles in Taiwan Follows GDP Rise South Koreans Spend Heavily on "Shadow Education" Important Objects Feel Heavier People Cheat More If the Benefits Are Shared Men's Regrets Focus on Work, Women's on Love Walkability Raises Property Values Dull Tasks Seem Duller to Entitled People Retail Therapy Works, Research Shows Free HBR Interactive issue Download the iPad app HBR Reads, and get your issue with audio and video interviews and multimedia slideshows. Learn more » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "The Daily Stat" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2011 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)