The Effect of Mood Valence on Memory Recall and Communication.
Have you ever noticed that when you are depressed that pretty much everything seems depressing? You may look at a couple happily walking down the street and all you are thinking about is how they are eventually going to get into an argument and break up… Or how they will eventually cheat on each other and end the relationship. Or maybe you are watching your children play and rather than thinking about how wonderful it is that they are happy, all you can think about is how sad it is that they will eventually grow up and leave the nest…
As you probably know by now, the way that our mind makes sense out of things or draws “meaning” from what it is experiencing, is by relating the information it is receiving to semantic, episodic and autobiographical memories that it has stored away. It is like a big filing system in a computer and when it receives a new experience it needs to go into the files to look at similar experiences to see “how this turns out…” if you will.
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3. In a situation where you are dealing with happiness… Enjoy it!
Mood congruence is a very real and important communication challenge that needs to be paid close attention to… not only in the people you communicate with but also in yourself while communicating.
To learn more about how the brain works to better your understanding of how to develop effective communication skills, please feel free to explore the rest of my blog The Communication Expert, or if I am online, please feel free to connect with me via Skype.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Your commentary is brilliant, thank you for it! So in return, I wanted to share some brain-timeThe Communication Expert Blog
Refining Interpersonal Communication with you.
As a country gal now, I’m biased. But I’ve lived in myriad states and nations over my years. And like to think I’ve perspective.
And for the opening image on a blog to be big city, nearly everybody hermetically sealed into buildings and vehicles – yet for the title to then be “The Communication Expert Blog. Refining Interpersonal Communication”
Huh? Have you looked much at world maps? At world HISTORY? The photo there is as contrary to your message as is possible I think!
Perhaps you live in a large city, if so I’m sorry for what you are about to experience. But do know this, most humans are not that densely packed – so, my message is this: you have a great mind, broaden your vision and see how most folks on this ball of dirt have and do live.
Cheers bud,
SusieQ
Susie,
Thank you so much for your remarks and I appreciate your time and effort. This may be a surprise, but I was raised in the country as well… I grew up working on farms and have seen both sides of the coin (Lived in L.A. CA, NJ and work in Manhattan). The picture in the blog is of a busy Manhattan street and if you want to experience all shades of communication, there isn’t a better place in my opinion. Your view point obviously differs and I would love to hear more from you. Please help me understand further…
DP
David,
Thanks for the follow on Twitter. I look forward to reading more.
Kelly
I like what I read here. I even like the picture of Manhattan. I lived there and had good times and some bloody awful times. I guess it all depends on what the picture meant to SusieQ – maybe her experiences there jaundiced her view of the City.
I found this posting very inspirational. Thanks for looking into my world for a bit on twitter and the web. What persuaded you to hit the follow button? I will make time to read more of your posts.
Best wishes
Mike
I found your insights very helpful, I have battled with depression in the past and still do from time to time. I could never figure out why it would loop into the same thought pattern. Now I know why!
I find if I keep busy blogging and writing novels, it keeps me happy.
If I’m down I will do something that I enjoy, even if it’s only for 30 minutes, I find this will lift my mood.
Hello Linda,
I am glad that I can help. The feeling of depression can result from the “looping effect” of not only similarly valenced information (mood congruent recall), but also extremely predictable and structured patterns.
When you engage in the same experiences consistently, the pattern can begin to actually close in on itself. Stronger pattern produces stronger recall which intensifies the pattern itself… This will begin to shut out or extricate actions and experiences (from your daily routine) that are not congruent with the mood.
The result can be extreme depression manifesting in a “shutting off” per se of the outside world. (Sleeping, closing the blinds, shutting out stimuli, etc…). The best way to break this is to, well, do what you’re doing… Despite not feeling the desire to engage in other action, you force yourself to do it anyway… This “break” in pattern will disrupt the recall effect, stimulate blood flow and change the chemical “make up” of your body at that time… All of this is very helpful in overcoming depressive symptoms. Please email me if there is anything else I can do to help… davidjparnell@gmail.com
David
Hi David
I am a person that has suffered with a Weltschmerz in the past. I have learned to recognize its onset and have learned to overcome it by allowing myself to become creative.
Origins of the word: Weltschmerz
Etymology: German, from Welt = world + Schmerz = pain
1 : mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state
2 : a mood of sentimental sadness
I wrote a Cinquain triplet about it about 12 years ago. I hope you don’t mind me sharing the link below:
http://bit.ly/5io65I
Friendly regards
~Daniel K
PS: I hope this helps someone out there!
I like your material on this blog Dave, you seem to have not posted lately I hope you are still going to keep the material coming.
I am a great believer in the effect Movement and diet has on a person and their mental well being.
I will look more into the term mood congruency and your statement Depression is often a symptom of a person’s bodily chemical composition at the given time, is quite a minefield to tread for the understanding of is it the thoughts that create the chemical imbalance or vise versa.
Regards Russell
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for your comment and I hope your writing can help others…
David J. Parnell
Hi Russell,
Thanks for your comment. Indeed, this can be a chicken before the egg scenario… A state of depression, like any other affective state can (and will) have a “looping effect” where it feeds itself… In my opinion, it is most important to focus on the thought portion of the puzzle. This is because you have direct and immediate volitional control over that. It may sound a bit corny, but thoughts and immediate physiological state are a major component in feeding depression or any other affect. The chemical component is a bit more of a long term project… Exercise, nutrition and general lifestyle trends will generally need a revamping when chemicals involved (this is aside from medication). I hope this helps, if not, please feel free to contact me…
David J. Parnell
The Communication skills that you demonstrate in an interview are critical to your success, not only as a candidate but as a professional where an applicant proves themselves as a unique person to be the part of an organization. Remember that interview is always pre-planned and structured. It’s a formal presentation between an interviewer and an interviewee. You need to have the following Communication Skills counseling if you want to impress an interviewer.
The Communication skills that you demonstrate in an interview are critical to your success, not only as a candidate but as a professional where an applicant proves themselves as a unique person to be the part of an organization. Remember that interview is always pre-planned and structured. It’s a formal presentation between an interviewer and an interviewee. You need to have the following Communication Skills counselingif you want to impress an interviewer.
David,
Thanks for the follow on Twitter. I look forward to reading more.
Kelly
Isaih, I agree with your assertions… Thanks for the comments!
David
Hi Kelley,
I look forward to your tweets as well, thanks for stopping by
David
The Communication skills that you demonstrate in an interview are critical to your success, not only as a candidate but as a professional where an applicant proves themselves as a unique person to be the part of an organization. Remember that interview is always pre-planned and structured. It’s a formal presentation between an interviewer and an interviewee. You need to have the following Communication Skills counselingif you want to impress an interviewer.