Abstract
As illustrated by the present Research Topic, emotion that can either enhance or hinder various aspects of our cognition and behavior. For instance, the emotional charge of an event can increase attention to and memory for that event (Dolcos et al., 2012), whereas task-irrelevant emotional information may lead to increased distraction away from goal-relevant tasks (Iordan et al., 2013; see also Dolcos et al., 2011). Interestingly, sometimes these opposing effects of emotion co-occur. For example, hearing a gunshot may enhance memory for central aspects of what was happening at the time, while impairing memory for peripheral details (Christianson, 1992). It is also possible that increased distraction from ongoing goals produced by task-irrelevant emotional stimuli may lead to better memory for the distracting information itself. The co-occurrence of enhancing and impairing effects of emotion is probably most evident in affective disorders, where both of these opposing effects are exacerbated. Specifically, uncontrolled recollection of and rumination on distressing memories observed in depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also lead to impaired cognition due to enhanced emotional distraction. Here, we illustrate an example based on evidence from studies of PTSD, pointing to the importance of investigating both enhancing and impairing effects of emotion, in elucidating the nature of alterations in the way emotion interacts with cognition in clinical conditions.
Highlights
As illustrated by the present Research Topic, emotion that can either enhance or hinder various aspects of our cognition and behavior
These changes are reflected in regions associated with functions that may be enhanced or impaired by emotion—i.e., the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, respectively
We illustrate how understanding the changes associated with the way traumatic memories are formed and retrieved in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may clarify their impact on ongoing cognitive/executive processes, when potential cues for traumatic memories are presented as task irrelevant distracters
Summary
As illustrated by the present Research Topic, emotion that can either enhance or hinder various aspects of our cognition and behavior. The emotional charge of an event can increase attention to and memory for that event (Dolcos et al, 2012), whereas task-irrelevant emotional information may lead to increased distraction away from goal-relevant tasks (Iordan et al, 2013; see Dolcos et al, 2011). Sometimes these opposing effects of emotion co-occur. We illustrate an example based on evidence from studies of PTSD, pointing to the importance of investigating both enhancing and impairing effects of emotion, in elucidating the nature of alterations in the way emotion interacts with cognition in clinical conditions
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.
