Enhanced memory for negative scripted material in low compared to high sensation seekers

Individuals with high vs. low sensation seeking respond to and remember emotional events in different ways. The present study investigates how high vs. low sensation seekers differ in memory performance for emotional events. Participants were presented with a series of pictures depicting everyday events, some of which had an emotional outcome, and subsequently administered a recognition task. Results showed that high vs. low sensation seekers differed in memory performance for episodes with negative outcome, such that performance was better in low sensation seekers. It is suggested that heightened aversive reactions to negative stimuli may improve memory for scripted episodes in low sensation seekers, while high sensation seekers may be motivated to avoid consideration of events that had a negative outcome.