TV news images that induce anger, fear, and disgust: Effects on approach‐avoidance and memory

Abstract

An experiment tested memory and approach‐avoidance ratings for television news images that induce anger, fear, and disgust. Participants rated the ¡mages by moving a computer paddle toward or away from the screen during the stimulus presentation. Anger images received the rating closest to the screen, followed by images inducing fear, and images inducing disgust. Images that induce anger were found to be the most memorable on a latency‐to‐response measure, followed by images that induce fear, and images that induce disgust. Both retroactive and proactive memory effects were detected. Results are discussed in terms of comprehension of television news.