ICPS
2023 International Convention of Psychological Science · 2023
Pressing a Mental Stop Button (but not a Physical One) Inhibits Retrieval of Unwanted Memories
- Kevin van Schie
Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University - Jonathan Fawcett
Memorial University - Michael Anderson
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
Abstract
People can intentionally hit a “stop button” to halt the retrieval of unsettling memories. We show that pressing a mental stop button results in forgetting that is supported by inhibition. Pressing a physical button does not induce forgetting, on its own, without confounding factors that introduce inhibition into the task.
Memory