CogSci Colloquium: Felipe de Brigard (Duke)

Episodic counterfactual thinking and the emotional reappraisal of autobiographical memories

Abstract: Thinking about alternative ways in which past personal events could have occurred is common and ubiquitous. It has been suggested that these “episodic counterfactual thoughts” serve a preparatory role: they help us to mentally simulate alternative scenarios in order to hedge future uncertainty. In this talk, I will offer a complementary view according to which episodic counterfactual thoughts can also play a mnemonic role. Specifically, I will suggest that we often employ them to emotionally reappraise autobiographical memories in order to mollify our affective reactions toward past negative events. Possible clinical implications of this approach will be discussed.