Suppressing unwanted memories

ABSTRACT—When reminded of something we would prefer not to think about, we often try to exclude the unwanted memory from awareness. Recent research indicates that people control unwanted memories by stopping memory retrieval, using mechanisms similar to those used to stop reflexivemotor responses. Controlling unwantedmemories is implemented by the lateral prefrontal cortex, which acts to reduce activity in the hippocampus, thereby impairing retention of those memories. Individual differences in the efficacy of these systemsmayunderlie variation in howwell people control intrusive memories and adapt in the after-math of trauma. This research supports the existence of an active forgetting process and establishes a neurocognitive model for inquiry into motivated forgetting. KEYWORDS—executive control; inhibition; forgetting