Eye Movements during Retrieval do not Reduce Objective Memory Accessibility when Cued with Reminders

Recall of an emotional memory while simultaneously doing a demanding dual-task (i.e. making eye movements) reduces self-reported memory vividness and emotionality. This study examined whether a dual-tasking intervention also reduces accessibility of emotional memories. Undergraduates (N = 60) studied word-image pairs and rated the retrieved image on vividness and emotionality when cued with the word. Then they viewed the cues and recalled the images with or without making EM. Finally, they re-rated the images on vividness and emotionality. Additionally, fragments from images from all conditions were presented and participants identified which fragment was paired earlier with which cue. Findings showed no effect of the dual-task manipulation on self-reported ratings and latency responses. The cued recall procedure in our experiment seems to explain the absence of effects best. The study demonstrates boundaries to the effects of the “dual-tasking” procedure