Memory, mood and emotion

Abstract

The number of studies that aim to understand the interactions between the cognitive and affective processes has been increasing over the past years, mainly due to their several practical implications, particularly for psychotherapy and the forensic field. The objective of this article is to present some of the possible interactions between affective processes and memory. Initially, definitions for the terms emotion, mood and affection are presented. Then, the relations between mood, emotion and memory are approached, describing the main phenomena investigated in such areas. For each phenomenon described, empirical foundations and explanatory theories are listed. Finally, the limitations and implications of the studies on relations between mood, emotion and memory are discussed, focusing on the need of a broader consensus among researchers in this area. Copyright © Revista de Psiquiatria do Rio Grande do Sul - SPRS.