Emotion based attentional priority for storage in visual short-term memory

Journal article


Simione, Luca, Calabrese, Lucia, Belardinelli, Marta Olivetti, Marucci, Francesco Saverio, Raffone, Antonino and Maratos, Frances A. 2014. Emotion based attentional priority for storage in visual short-term memory. PLos ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095261
AuthorsSimione, Luca, Calabrese, Lucia, Belardinelli, Marta Olivetti, Marucci, Francesco Saverio, Raffone, Antonino and Maratos, Frances A.
Abstract

A plethora of research demonstrates that the processing of emotional faces is prioritised over non-emotive stimuli when cognitive resources are limited (this is known as ‘emotional superiority’). However, there is debate as to whether competition for processing resources results in emotional superiority per se, or more specifically, threat superiority. Therefore, to investigate prioritisation of emotional stimuli for storage in visual short-term memory (VSTM), we devised an original VSTM report procedure using schematic (angry, happy, neutral) faces in which processing competition was manipulated. In Experiment 1, display exposure time was manipulated to create competition between stimuli. Participants (n = 20) had to recall a probed stimulus from a set size of four under high (150 ms array exposure duration) and low (400 ms array exposure duration) perceptual processing competition. For the high competition condition (i.e. 150 ms exposure), results revealed an emotional superiority effect per se. In Experiment 2 (n = 20), we increased competition by manipulating set size (three versus five stimuli), whilst maintaining a constrained array exposure duration of 150 ms. Here, for the five-stimulus set size (i.e. maximal competition) only threat superiority emerged. These findings demonstrate attentional prioritisation for storage in VSTM for emotional faces. We argue that task demands modulated the availability of processing resources and consequently the relative magnitude of the emotional/threat superiority effect, with only threatening stimuli prioritised for storage in VSTM under more demanding processing conditions. Our results are discussed in light of models and theories of visual selection, and not only combine the two strands of research (i.e. visual selection and emotion), but highlight a critical factor in the processing of emotional stimuli is availability of processing resources, which is further constrained by task demands.

KeywordsEmotion superiority; Threat superiority; Attentional selection; visual short-term memory; Face processing; Biased competition
Year2014
JournalPLos ONE
PublisherPLOS
ISSN1932-6203
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095261
Web address (URL)http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095261
http://hdl.handle.net/10545/595922
hdl:10545/595922
Output statusPublished
Publication dates01 May 2014
Publication process dates
Deposited09 Feb 2016
Rights

Archived with thanks to PLoS ONE

ContributorsUniversity of Derby
File
File Access Level
Open
File
File Access Level
Open
File
File Access Level
Open
File
File Access Level
Open
File
File Access Level
Open
Permalink -

https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/92w63/emotion-based-attentional-priority-for-storage-in-visual-short-term-memory

Download files

  • 74
    total views
  • 15
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Promoting Teachers’ Wellbeing Using a Compassionate Mind Training Intervention: Exploring Mechanisms of Change
Marcela Matos, Ana Galhardo, Lara Palmeira, Isabel Albuquerque, Marina Cunha, Margarida Pedroso Lima, Frances A. Maratos, Paul Gilbert and Maratos, F. 2024. Promoting Teachers’ Wellbeing Using a Compassionate Mind Training Intervention: Exploring Mechanisms of Change. Mindfulness. pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02360-3
A Mixed-Methods Study of Compassionate Mind Training for Pupils (CMT-Pupils) as a School-Based Wellbeing Intervention
Maratos, F., Wood, W., Cahill, R., Hernández, Y., Matos, M. and Gilbert, P. 2024. A Mixed-Methods Study of Compassionate Mind Training for Pupils (CMT-Pupils) as a School-Based Wellbeing Intervention. Mindfulness. 15, pp. 459-478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02303-y
Effects of colour-coded compartmentalised syringe trays on anaesthetic drug error detection under cognitive load
Laxton, V., Frances A. Maratos, David W. Hewson, Baird, A., Archer, S. and Stupple, E. 2024. Effects of colour-coded compartmentalised syringe trays on anaesthetic drug error detection under cognitive load. British Journal of Anaesthesia. pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2023.12.033
Exploring the role of compassion, self-criticism and the dark triad on obesity and emotion regulation
Emma Sharpe, Schofield, M., Ben Roberts, Atiya Kamal and Maratos, F. 2023. Exploring the role of compassion, self-criticism and the dark triad on obesity and emotion regulation. Current Psychology. 43, p. 11972–11982. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05319-0
5S solutions to promote medication efficiency and safety. Comment on Br J Anaesth 2023; 130: e416–8
Victoria Laxton, Frances A. Maratos, David W. Hewson, Andrew Baird, Edward J.N. Stupple and Maratos, F. 2023. 5S solutions to promote medication efficiency and safety. Comment on Br J Anaesth 2023; 130: e416–8. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 78, pp. 458-478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2023.03.004
Embedding Compassion in Schools: The What’s, the Why’s and the How’
Maratos, F., Hurst, J., Harvey, C. and Gilbert, P. 2023. Embedding Compassion in Schools: The What’s, the Why’s and the How’. in: Giraldez-Hayes, A. and Burke, J. (ed.) Applied Positive School Psychology: Practical Guide for Educators Abingdon, Oxfordshire Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group. pp. 81-100
Standardised colour-coded compartmentalised syringe trays improve anaesthetic medication visual search and mitigate cognitive load
Victoria Laxton, Frances A. Maratos, David W. Hewson, Andrew Baird, Edward J.N. Stupple and Stupple, E. 2023. Standardised colour-coded compartmentalised syringe trays improve anaesthetic medication visual search and mitigate cognitive load. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 130 (3), pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2022.11.012
Exploring the role of compassion, self-criticism and the dark triad on obesity and emotion regulation
Emma E. Sharpe, Malcolm B. Schofield, Ben L. H. Roberts, Kamal, A. and Maratos, F. 2022. Exploring the role of compassion, self-criticism and the dark triad on obesity and emotion regulation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05319-0
Nurturing compassion in schools: A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of a Compassionate Mind Training program for teachers.
Matos, M., Albuquerque, I., Galhardo, A., Cunha, M., Lima, M, P., Palmeira, L., Petrocchi, N., McEwan, K., Maratos, F. and Gilbert, P. 2022. Nurturing compassion in schools: A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of a Compassionate Mind Training program for teachers. PLos ONE. 17 (3), pp. 1-36. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0263480
Nurturing Compassionate Schools: A randomized controlled study of the efficacy of a Compassionate Mind Training program for teachers
Matos, M., Albuquerque, I., Galhardo, A., Cunha, M., Lima, M. P., Palmeira, M., Petrocchi, N., McEwan, K., Maratos, F. and Gilbert, P. 2022. Nurturing Compassionate Schools: A randomized controlled study of the efficacy of a Compassionate Mind Training program for teachers. PLos ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0263480
Factors Influencing Successful Coping among Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Personnel: Recruiting for Resilience – A Mixed Methods Study
Craven, H. P., Hallmark, M., Holland, F. and Maratos, F. 2022. Factors Influencing Successful Coping among Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Personnel: Recruiting for Resilience – A Mixed Methods Study. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology. pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-022-09521-x
Exploring pattern recognition: what is the relationship between the recognition of words, faces and other objects?
Maratos, F., Chu, K., Lipka, S., Parente, F. and Stupple, E. 2022. Exploring pattern recognition: what is the relationship between the recognition of words, faces and other objects? Cognitive Processing. 24, pp. 59-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-022-01111-3
Factors Influencing Successful Coping among Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Personnel: Recruiting for Resilience - A Mixed Methods Study
Helen Craven, Michelle Hallmark, Fiona Holland and Frances Maratos 2022. Factors Influencing Successful Coping among Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Personnel: Recruiting for Resilience - A Mixed Methods Study. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology. 37, p. 549–568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-022-09521-x
Interpretation Biases in Pain: Validation of Two New Stimulus Sets
Gaffiero, D., Staples, P., Staples, V. and Maratos, F. 2022. Interpretation Biases in Pain: Validation of Two New Stimulus Sets. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.784887
Authors' Responses to Peer Review of “Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Physical and Psychosocial Well-being and Work Productivity of Remote Workers: Cross-sectional Correlational Study”
Yessica Abigail Tronco Hernández, Fabio Parente, Mark A Faghy, Clare M P Roscoe, Frances A Maratos and Maratos, F. 2021. Authors' Responses to Peer Review of “Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Physical and Psychosocial Well-being and Work Productivity of Remote Workers: Cross-sectional Correlational Study”. JMIR Publications. https://doi.org/10.2196/34609
Influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on remote workers’ physical and psychosocial wellbeing and work productivity
Yessica Abigail Tronco Hernandez, Fabio Parente, Mark A. Faghy, Clare M. P. Roscoe and Frances Maratos 2021. Influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on remote workers’ physical and psychosocial wellbeing and work productivity. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/dnuk3
Negative self-referential emotions and mental health in youth: The importance of self-criticism.
Ashra, H., Barnes, C., Stupple, E. and Maratos, F. 2021. Negative self-referential emotions and mental health in youth: The importance of self-criticism. Current Research In Psychiatry . 1 (4), pp. 63-67.
Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Physical and Psychosocial Well-being and Work Productivity of Remote Workers: Cross-sectional Correlational Study (Preprint)
Yessica Abigail Tronco Hernández, Fabio Parente, Mark A Faghy, Clare M P Roscoe, Frances A Maratos and Faghy, M. 2021. Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Physical and Psychosocial Well-being and Work Productivity of Remote Workers: Cross-sectional Correlational Study (Preprint). JMIR. https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.30708
A systematic review of self-report measures of negative self-referential emotions developed for non-clinical child and adolescent samples
Ashra, Hajra, Barnes, Christopher, Stupple, Edward and Maratos, Frances A. 2021. A systematic review of self-report measures of negative self-referential emotions developed for non-clinical child and adolescent samples. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-020-00339-9
Building Compassionate Schools: Pilot Study of a Compassionate Mind Training Intervention to Promote Teachers’ Well-being
Matos, Marcela, Palmeira, Lara, Albuquerque, Isabel, Cunha, Marina, Pedroso Lima, Margarida, Galhardo, Ana, Maratos, Frances and GIlbert, Paul 2021. Building Compassionate Schools: Pilot Study of a Compassionate Mind Training Intervention to Promote Teachers’ Well-being. Mindfulness. 13, p. 145–161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01778-3
Embedding compassionate micro skills of communication in higher education: implementation with psychology undergraduates
Harvey, Caroline, Maratos, Frances, Montague, Jane, Gale, Maggie, Gilbert, Theo and Clark, Karen 2020. Embedding compassionate micro skills of communication in higher education: implementation with psychology undergraduates. British Psychological Society.
Emotional faces, visuo-spatial working memory and anxiety
Maratos, Frances A., Simione, Luca and Raffone, Antonino 2020. Emotional faces, visuo-spatial working memory and anxiety. EC PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY. https://doi.org/10.31080/ecpp.2020.04.00599
The visual search strategies underpinning effective observational analysis in the coaching of climbing movement
Mitchell, James, Maratos, Frances, A, Giles, David, Taylor, Nicola, Butterworth, Andrew and Sheffield, David 2020. The visual search strategies underpinning effective observational analysis in the coaching of climbing movement. Frontiers. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01025
Can compassion, happiness and sympathetic concern be differentiated on the basis of facial expression?
Condliffe, Otto and Maratos, Frances A. 2020. Can compassion, happiness and sympathetic concern be differentiated on the basis of facial expression? Cognition and Emotion. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2020.1747989
Brief compassion-focused imagery dampens physiological pain responses
Maratos, Frances A. and Sheffield, David 2020. Brief compassion-focused imagery dampens physiological pain responses. Mindfulness. 11, p. 2730–2740. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01485-5
Exploring the international utility of progressing compassionate mind training in school settings: a comparison of implementation effectiveness of the same curricula in the UK and Portugal
Maratos, Frances A., Matos, Marcela, Alberquerque, Isabel, Wood, Wendy, Palmeira, Lara, Cuna, Marina, Lima, Margarida and Gilbert, Paul 2020. Exploring the international utility of progressing compassionate mind training in school settings: a comparison of implementation effectiveness of the same curricula in the UK and Portugal. The Psychology of Education Review.
What drives prioritized visual processing? A motivational relevance account
Maratos, Frances A. and Pessoa, Luiz 2019. What drives prioritized visual processing? A motivational relevance account. Progress in Brain Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.03.028
An international study of analgesic dependence among people with pain in the general population
Omimah, Said, Elander, James and Maratos, Frances A. 2019. An international study of analgesic dependence among people with pain in the general population. Substance Use and Misuse. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2019.1577457
Searching compassion in a crowd: Evaluation of a novel compassion visual search task to reduce self-criticism
McEwan, Kirsten, Dandeneau, Stephane, Gilbert, Paul, Maratos, Frances, Andrew, Lucy, Chotai, Shivani and Elander, James 2019. Searching compassion in a crowd: Evaluation of a novel compassion visual search task to reduce self-criticism. EC PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY.
Evaluation of a compassionate mind training intervention with school teachers and support staff
Maratos, Frances, Montague, Jane, Ashra, Hajra, Welford, Mary, Wood, Wendy, Barnes, Christopher, Sheffield, David and Gilbert, Paul 2019. Evaluation of a compassionate mind training intervention with school teachers and support staff. Mindfulness. 10, p. 2245–2258. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01185-9
Do individuals with Chronic Pain show attentional bias to pain-related information? An early stage systematic review of the eye-tracking evidence.
Gaffiero, D., Elander, James and Maratos, Frances 2019. Do individuals with Chronic Pain show attentional bias to pain-related information? An early stage systematic review of the eye-tracking evidence. Cognitive Psychology Bulletin.
Development of a compassion-based training for cancer (CforC) curriculum for female breast cancer patients in stages I-III and cancer survivors. Origins, rationale and initial observations.
Wahl, Julia, Sheffield, David, Maratos, Frances A. and Archer, Stephanie 2018. Development of a compassion-based training for cancer (CforC) curriculum for female breast cancer patients in stages I-III and cancer survivors. Origins, rationale and initial observations. Mindfulness & Compassion.
The origins of disordered eating and childhood food neophobia: Applying an anxiety perspective.
Maratos, Frances A. and Sharpe, Emma 2018. The origins of disordered eating and childhood food neophobia: Applying an anxiety perspective. in: Woodhead Publishing.
The effects of anxiety on temporal attention for emotive and neutral faces in children
Kelly, Lauren, Maratos, Frances A. and Lipka, Sigrid 2014. The effects of anxiety on temporal attention for emotive and neutral faces in children. Stress and Anxiety Research Society (STAR).
The physiological and emotional effects of touch: Assessing a hand-massage intervention with high self-critics
Maratos, Frances A., Duarte, Joana, Barnes, Christopher, McEwan, Kirsten, Sheffield, David and Gilbert, Paul 2017. The physiological and emotional effects of touch: Assessing a hand-massage intervention with high self-critics. Psychiatry Research. 250, pp. 221-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.01.066
Development and validation of a short-form Pain Medication Attitudes Questionnaire (PMAQ-14)
Elander, James, Said, Omimah, Maratos, Frances A., Dys, Ada, Collins, Hannah and Schofield, M. 2017. Development and validation of a short-form Pain Medication Attitudes Questionnaire (PMAQ-14). Pain. 158 (3), pp. 400-407. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000773
Joy and calm: how an evolutionary functional model of affect regulation informs positive emotions in nature
Richardson, Miles, McEwan, Kirsten, Maratos, Frances A. and Sheffield, David 2016. Joy and calm: how an evolutionary functional model of affect regulation informs positive emotions in nature. Evolutionary Psychological Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-016-0065-5
Attentional bias towards threatening and neutral facial expressions in high trait anxious children.
Kelly, Lauren, Maratos, Frances A., Lipka, Sigrid and Croker, Steve 2016. Attentional bias towards threatening and neutral facial expressions in high trait anxious children. Journal of Experimental Psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.5127/jep.052915
Visual processing speeds in children
Maratos, Frances A. and Croker, Steve 2011. Visual processing speeds in children. Child Development Research. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/450178
Recognition of subtle and universal facial expressions in a community-based sample of adults classified with intellectual disability
Owen, S. and Maratos, Frances A. 2016. Recognition of subtle and universal facial expressions in a community-based sample of adults classified with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 60 (4), pp. 344-354. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12253
Investigating the relationship between consultation length and patient experience: A cross-sectional study in primary care
Elmore, N., Burt, J., Abel, G., Maratos, F.A., Montague, J., Campbell, J. and Roland, M. 2016. Investigating the relationship between consultation length and patient experience: A cross-sectional study in primary care. British Journal of General Practice. 66 (653), pp. 896-903. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16x687733
Do Cardiovascular Responses to Active and Passive Coping Tasks predict Future Blood Pressure over a 10-Month Later?
Yuenyongchaiwat, Kornanong, Baker, Ian S., Maratos, Frances A. and Sheffield, David 2016. Do Cardiovascular Responses to Active and Passive Coping Tasks predict Future Blood Pressure over a 10-Month Later? The Spanish Journal of Psychology. 19. https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2016.5
Development of the critical thinking toolkit (CriTT): A measure of student attitudes and beliefs about critical thinking
Stupple, Edward J. N., Maratos, Frances A., Elander, James, Hunt, Thomas E., Cheung, Kevin Yet Fong and Aubeeluck, Aimee 2016. Development of the critical thinking toolkit (CriTT): A measure of student attitudes and beliefs about critical thinking. Thinking Skills and Creativity. 23, pp. 91-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2016.11.007
Hemodynamic responses to active and passive coping tasks and the prediction of future blood pressure in Thai participants: A preliminary prospective cohort study
Yuenyongchaiwat, K., Sheffield, D., Baker, I. and Maratos, F. 2015. Hemodynamic responses to active and passive coping tasks and the prediction of future blood pressure in Thai participants: A preliminary prospective cohort study. Japanese Psychological Research. 57 (4), pp. 288-299. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpr.12089
When is a face a face? Schematic faces, emotion, attention and the N170
Maratos, F.A., Garner, M., Hogan, A.M. and Karl, A. 2015. When is a face a face? Schematic faces, emotion, attention and the N170. AIMS Neuroscience. 2 (3), pp. 172-182. https://doi.org/10.3934/neuroscience.2015.3.172
Do therapeutic imagery practices affect physiological and emotional indicators of threat in high self-critics?
Duarte, Joana, McEwan, Kirsten, Barnes, Christopher, Gilbert, Paul and Maratos, Frances A. 2015. Do therapeutic imagery practices affect physiological and emotional indicators of threat in high self-critics? Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12043
Attentional biases towards familiar and unfamiliar foods in children. The role of food neophobia
Maratos, Frances A. and Staples, Paul 2015. Attentional biases towards familiar and unfamiliar foods in children. The role of food neophobia. Appetite. 91, pp. 220-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.04.003
Facial expressions depicting compassionate and critical emotions: the development and validation of a new emotional face stimulus set
McEwan, Kirsten, Gilbert, Paul, Dandeneau, Stephane, Lipka, Sigrid, Maratos, Frances A., Paterson, Kevin B. and Baldwin, Mark 2014. Facial expressions depicting compassionate and critical emotions: the development and validation of a new emotional face stimulus set. PLos ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0088783
In search of critical thinking in psychology: an exploration of student and lecturer understandings in higher education
Duro, Elaine, Elander, James, Maratos, Frances A., Stupple, Edward J. N. and Aubeeluck, Aimee 2013. In search of critical thinking in psychology: an exploration of student and lecturer understandings in higher education. Psychology Learning & Teaching. 12 (3). https://doi.org/10.2304/plat.2013.12.3.275
Predictors of painkiller dependence among people with pain in the general population
Elander, James, Duarte, Joana, Maratos, Frances A. and Gilbert, Paul 2013. Predictors of painkiller dependence among people with pain in the general population. Pain Medicine. 15 (4), p. 613–624. https://doi.org/10.1111/pme.12263
Early gamma-band activity as a function of threat processing in the extrastriate visual cortex
Maratos, Frances A., Senior, Carl, Mogg, Karin, Bradley, Brendan P. and Rippon, Gina 2012. Early gamma-band activity as a function of threat processing in the extrastriate visual cortex. Cognitive Neuroscience. 3 (1), pp. 62-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/17588928.2011.613989
Temporal processing of emotional stimuli: The capture and release of attention by angry faces
Maratos, Frances A. 2011. Temporal processing of emotional stimuli: The capture and release of attention by angry faces. Emotion. 11 (5), p. 1242–1247. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024279
Having a word with yourself: Neural correlates of self-criticism and self-reassurance
Longe, O., Maratos, F.A., Gilbert, P., Evans, G., Volker, F., Rockliff, H. and Rippon, G. 2010. Having a word with yourself: Neural correlates of self-criticism and self-reassurance. NeuroImage. 49 (2), pp. 1849-1856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.09.019
Coarse threat images reveal theta oscillations in the amygdala: A magnetoencephalography study
Maratos, F.A., Mogg, K., Bradley, B.P., Rippon, G. and Senior, C. 2009. Coarse threat images reveal theta oscillations in the amygdala: A magnetoencephalography study. Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience. 9, p. 133–143. https://doi.org/10.3758/cabn.9.2.133
Identification of angry faces in the attentional blink
Maratos, Frances A., Mogg, Karin and Bradley, Brendan P. 2008. Identification of angry faces in the attentional blink. Cognition and Emotion. 22 (7), pp. 1340-1352. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930701774218
The spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of brain regions activated during the perception of object and non-object patterns
Maratos, F.A., Anderson, S.J., Hillebrand, A., Singh, K.D. and Barnes, G.R. 2007. The spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of brain regions activated during the perception of object and non-object patterns. NeuroImage. 34 (1), pp. 371-383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.09.017