Effects of Emotions on Memories

The article by Tyng et al. “Exploring EEG effective connectivity network in estimating the influence of color on emotion and memory” delves into the topic of the extent of human long-term memory. Specifically, the researchers study the effect of multimedia and colors on cognitive abilities. Retaining information is a vital skill in the modern world, which requires extensive attention. In my opinion, the article provides a decent overview of creative ways of improving human memory.

The aim of the article is to ascertain what effect colored multimedia materials (MLMs) have on long-term memory. The method the researchers used to achieve this goal involved electroencephalography (EEG) of participants’ brains. Overall, forty-five adults were divided into three groups, with differently colored learning materials (Tyng et al., 2019). The three groups had seven task sessions, during which the EEG collected data. Afterward, the authors of the study analyzed the resulting output. The primary finding is that the presence of warm colors has a positive impact on the emotional state of a learner. This happens due to the high activation of the brain in response to the external stimulus. When the brain processes colors, it engages both frontal and prefrontal cortices. Thus, not only does the cognitive process involve thinking, but it also starts associating. Subsequently, both short-term and long-term memory improves, which suggests using more warm-colored MLMs in learning.

Overall, the article provides valuable insight into brain functioning. Using EEG, the researchers established that warm colors activate diverse brain areas responsible for associations and thinking. As a result, participants who were exposed to red and yellow learning materials were better at retaining information than those who processed black and white illustrations. From my perspective, the usage of EEG adds credibility to this study and its recommendation to enhance colors in educational materials.

Reference

Tyng, C. M., Amin, H. U., Izhar, L.I., Saad, N. M., Abdul Rahman, M., Malik, A. S., & Tang, T. B. (2019). Exploring EEG effective connectivity network in estimating the influence of color on emotion and memory. Frontiers in Neuroinformatics, 13(66), 1-21. Web.