Abstract
In the present paper we aimed to show that competition for resources between post-emotional processes and the execution of a cognitive task will result in two possible effects: (1) an impairment of the cognitive task in the short run and (2) an elongation of intrusions and rumination in the long run. The outcome of this competition is influenced by the interaction of the modality (verbal vs. visuospatial) of cognitive tasks run in the aftermath of an emotional experience and the nature (verbal vs. visuospatial) of the same experience. Non-clinical participants were given a working memory task (OSPAN vs. an analog Visual task) before and after the presentation of negative vs. neutral material (a novel excerpt in Experiment 1 and a video clip in Experiment 2). Intrusions and rumination were measured after a 24-h delay. Rumination was also assessed immediately after the experimental induction. Results showed that exposure to verbal negative material impaired verbal performance (Experiment 1); by contrast, exposure to visual negative material impaired both verbal and visuospatial performance (Experiment 2). Intrusions were only affected by the emotional valence of the original experience, while performing a visuospatial task resulted in enhanced rumination only after exposure to verbal emotional material. The findings of both experiments suggest that emotional processing spreads over time in balance with ongoing cognitive activities, and, in such a balance, the visuospatial processing mode tends to prevail over verbal engagements.
Highlights
In present study we focused on the cognitive remainders of emotional experiences, which consist of intrusive images and ruminative thoughts (Watkins, 2008)
As regards rumination, it should be noted that in Experiment 1 neither the emotional valence effect not its interactions with other factors of the design were observed as being significant, so it seems that interrupting a visuospatial performance with either negative or neutral material resulted in an increase in ruminative thoughts
Screening Analysis To assess whether participants differed in their tendency toward a depressive rumination style and affectivity disposition, a set of factorial ANOVAs was run on Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) and PANAS-T indices with Emotional valence (Negative vs. Neutral) and Task modality (Verbal vs. Visuospatial) as independent variables
Summary
In present study we focused on the cognitive remainders of emotional experiences, which consist of intrusive images and ruminative thoughts (Watkins, 2008). As for traumas, after an upsetting event individuals engage in memory processing that takes the form of intrusions and rumination, and which is much more demanding as the subjective level of distress induced by the experience increases (Kron et al, 2010) Both intrusions and rumination are associated with a struggling effort to keep disturbing material out of one’s consciousness and Intrusions, rumination, and task modality the processes require that cognitive resources are exploited until a resting state is attained (Cann et al, 2011; Lindstrom et al, 2011; Curci and Rimé, 2012). Evidence on this regard converge on explicative models connecting the individual’s availability of cognitive resources with the development of intrusions and rumination concerning an emotional event
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
