Title

Unlocking the Past: How Language, Proficiency and Cognitive Load Shape Traumatic Autobiographical Memory Recall

Creator

Papadopoulou, Eleni

Abstract

This study examined how language, proficiency, and cognitive load impact emotionality during traumatic autobiographical memory (AM) retrieval. Greek native speakers (N=107) recalled a traumatic AM in their first language (L1), second language (L2; English), or L1 under cognitive demanding conditions (simple visuospatial task), while undergoing physiological EDA assessment. Notably, our findings showed that lower L2 proficiency – not L2 alone – reduced emotional intensity. Additionally, cognitive load during L1 recall significantly lowered emotionality, supporting resource-dependent emotional processing models. These findings reveal the interplay between proficiency and cognitive demands in shaping bilingual emotional processing, with implications for clinical and therapeutic settings.

Keywords

Bilingualism

Traumatic autobiographical memory

Cognitive load

Subject

Psychology

Type

Oral Presentation

Course

PS4935 L6 Final Year Project II

Instructor

Orfanidou , Eleni

Location

Art Center Auditorium

Event

Year 2025 | 9th Annual Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium