THE EMOTIONAL DISTINCTIVENESS OF ODOR-EVOKED MEMORIES

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 emotion al 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 w as enhanced. The findings are discussed within a general cognitive fra mework and implications for using odors to dissociate the emotional an d representational aspects of memory are addressed.