The Role of Executive Functioning in the Suppression-Induced Forgetting of Reactivated Negative Memories

This study investigated the effectiveness of direct suppression in reducing negative versus neutral memories and examined whether these effects persisted over a 48-hour delay through memory reactivation and reconsolidation. Additionally, the role of executive functioning in moderating suppression-induced forgetting was examined to determine whether these effects depend on individual differences, as proposed by the executive deficit hypothesis. 142 participants participated in a 3-day memory reconsolidation paradigm that utilized the Think/No Think Task as an intervention to disrupt reconsolidation. Results indicated that while reactivated, neutral memories in the No-Think condition were reduced, negative memories remained resistant to this process. Contrary to expectations, executive functioning did not moderate these effects; however, exploratory analyses revealed that individuals with lower inhibitory control exhibited greater suppression effects for neutral memories and an unintentional faciliatory effect on negative memories when attempting to directly suppress reactivated memories. These findings offer preliminary support for direct suppression as a potential intervention to disrupt memory reconsolidation and suggest that individuals with lower inhibitory control may benefit more from such approaches; however, this may not be an effective intervention for negative emotional memories.