Memory detection: The effects of emotional stimuli

- In two experiments we examined the influence of emotional stimuli on the outcomes of the Concealed Information Test (CIT).
- Emotional pictures were better remembered than neutral pictures (Experiment 2).
- CIT detection efficiency using the SCR, but not the RLL and HR measures, was enhanced for emotional compared to neutral pictures (Experiment 2).
- These findings indicate that the usage of emotional stimuli does not weaken and may even strengthen CIT validity with the SCR.

The Concealed Information Test (CIT) aims to detect the presence of crime-related information in memory. In two experiments, we examined the influence of stimulus emotionality on the outcomes of the CIT. In experiment 1, each participant was tested immediately or after one week, on a series of neutral and either negative arousing or negative non-arousing pictures. CIT detection efficiency was unaffected, but physiological and recognition data did not support the manipulation's effectiveness. In experiment 2, each participant was tested after a week on a series of neutral versus negative arousing pictures. Importantly, stimulus arousal was increased and memory ceiling effects were prevented. This time, both memory and CIT detection efficiency using the skin conductance, but not the respiration and heart rate measures, were enhanced for emotional compared to neutral pictures. Taken together, these results indicate that the use of emotional stimuli does not deteriorate and may even improve CIT validity.