Introduction: The relationship between cognition and emotion has always been of interest for researchers. Although each area is considered to be separate, but they interact with each other.
Purpose: Therefore, this study aims to investigate the induced impact of the emotions of shame and guilt on working memory performance.
Methods: This study was quasi-experimental in which pretest-posttest design has been used. The population in this study includes all the female college students at Azerbaijan Shahid Madani University in 2014-2015 academic year. Firstly, 100 students between 19-23age groups were selected by convenient sampling to complete demographic questionnaire and to do the dual paper-pencil task for the evaluation of the working memory performance. Then , a group of 96 students was matched in three groups of the emotion of shame (N = 32), emotion of guilt (N = 32) and neutral group (N = 32) based on age and working memory performance. Afterwards, participants were asked to carry out the task of recalling emotional memories and dual paper-and-pencil task. The gathered data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software, the descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance.
Results: The results obtained through the use of covariance method showed that after modifying the pre-test scores, the emotions of shame and guilt significantly affected the individual`s working memory(F= 4/95، p<0/01).
Conclusion: Based on these Results, we can conclude that emotions affect working memory performance, and exposure to negative emotional memories (shame and guilt) interfere with working memory.
bahri M, chalabianloo G, bahri M. Investigating The Induced Effect of The Emotions of Shame and Guilt on working Memory Performance. Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry. 2017; 4 (3) :1-9 URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-167-en.html