Processing memories of anger-eliciting events: The effect of asking ‘why’ from a distance

Preliminary experimental evidence suggests that ruminating about anger-eliciting events exacerbates anger and associated affect. However, no research has investigated the effect of rumination on processing memories of these events. This study examined the impact of manipulating cognitive processing when recalling anger-eliciting events. Participants (N=60) outlined an anger-related experience and were randomly allocated to recall the event according to an experimental instruction that manipulated recall perspective and emotional focus (distanced-why, distanced-what, immersed-why or immersed-what). Participants completed measures of negative affect and implicit and explicit anger, and returned the following day to complete measures that indexed frequency of intrusive memories of the event and memory-related distress. Contrary to prediction, participants allocated to the distanced-why condition did not report reduced anger. However, participants instructed to think about ‘why’ they experienced the emotions they did during the event (compared with ‘what’ emotions they experienced) reported more intrusions 24 h later, regardless of vantage perspective. These results accord with theoretical models that emphasise the negative impact of a ruminative ‘why’ focus on the processing of past events.