Research article summary (published 30 Mar 2006):

Enhanced perceptual priming for neutral stimuli in a traumatic context: A pathway to intrusive memories?

Full Abstract

Clinical observations suggest that re-experiencing symptoms are triggered by stimuli that are perceptually similar to those present shortly before the trauma or its worst moments. Two experiments investigated the possible role of perceptual priming in this phenomenon. Volunteers (N = 28, N = 62) watched a series of "traumatic" and neutral picture stories, and completed blurred object identification (priming) and recognition memory tasks. Neutral objects that immediately preceded the "traumatic" stories were more strongly primed, but not better recognised, than objects from neutral stories. Enhanced priming predicted subsequent re-experiencing symptoms. The results support the role of perceptual priming in re-experiencing.

Author information

Author/s: Ehlers, Anke (A); Michael, Tanja (T); Chen, Yi Ping (YP); Payne, Emma (E); Shan, Sri (S);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK. a.ehlers(-atsign-)iop.kcl.ac.uk

Grants: (Agency:Wellcome Trust)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Memory (Hove, England) (Memory), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Apr; vol 14 (issue 3) : pp 316-28

Dates: Created 2006/03/31; Completed 2006/09/15; Revised 2007/08/13;

PMID: 16574588, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Adolescent Adult Association Attention Conditioning (Psychology) Cues Emotions Female

Humans Male Mental Recall Psychological Tests Questionnaires Recognition (Psychology) Stress, Psychological - psychology Visual Perception

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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