The emotional distinctiveness of odor-evoked memories

Abstract

A modified paired-associate learning paradigm was used to test whether odors or verbal odor labels evoked more emotional memories. Subjects were presented with emotionally positive and negative paintings (to-be-remembered items) in association with positive and negative odors and odor labels. Painting recall and associated emotional experience were tested after 48 h. Odor-evoked memories were found to be more emotional than verbally cued memories on a variety of measures. Moreover, if the cue for recall (odor or label) was hedonically congruent with the painting to be remembered, memory for original emotional experiences was enhanced. The findings are discussed within a general cognitive framework and implications for using odors to dissociate the emotional and representational aspects of memory are addressed.