Method-of-Loci as a Mnemonic Device to Facilitate Access to Self-Affirming Personal Memories for Individuals With Depression

Abstract

Depression impairs the ability to retrieve positive, self-affirming autobiographical memories. To counteract this difficulty, we trained individuals with depression, either in episode or remission, to construct an accessible mental repository for a preselected set of positive, self-affirming memories using an ancient mnemonic technique—the method-of-loci (MoL). Participants in a comparison condition underwent a similar training protocol where they chunked the memories into meaningful sets and rehearsed them (rehearsal). Both protocols enhanced memory recollection to near ceiling levels after 1 week of training. However, on a surprise follow-up recall test a further week later, recollection was maintained only in the MoL condition, relative to a significant decrease in memories recalled in the rehearsal group. There were no significant performance differences between those currently in episode and those in remission. The results support use of the MoL as a tool to facilitate access to self-affirming memories in those with depression.