The Method of Loci Improves Longer-Term Retention of Self-Affirming Memories and Facilitates Access to Mood-Repairing Memories in Recurrent Depression

Abstract

The Method-of-Loci (MoL) is a mnemonic strategy that individuals with a history of depression can use to facilitate access to self-affirming memories. In the current study, we investigated (a) the utility of the MoL to enhance access to a preidentified set of personal memories and (b) the ability of the MoL to facilitate the recollection of memories to regulate emotion. Participants in remission from chronic depression used a MoL or rehearsal procedure to facilitate memory recall. Participants using the MoL showed superior retention of this material at both a 1-week and 3-month follow-up memory test, relative to the rehearsal group. For both groups, memory recall effectively repaired mood after a mood induction procedure. Using a diary measure, participants trained to use the MoL reported greater use of the memory repository to offset downturns in mood in day-to-day life, indicating that this could be a useful strategy for mood regulation.