The influence of emotions on false memories: a critical review

Abstract

In this article we reviewed studies relating to emotional influence on memory function and specifically, in the occurrence of false memories. False memories are a kind of mnemonic distortion which consist of the recovery of events that never happened. Emotion is being described in terms of dimensions of valence and arousal. Numerous studies have suggested that valence and arousal are beneficial to memory through distinct cognitive processes and neural mechanisms. On the other hand the research about emotional impact on the occurrence of false memories is quite incipient and there is not much consensus with respect to their results. We focus mainly on the methodological discussion of research relating emotion to false recognition. Finally we present some suggestions for future studies, and the current state of research carried out in Brazil.