Ricordi emotivi e ricordi traumatici

The present paper aims to offer a critical analysis of the literature on emotional and traumatic memories. First, some definitions of the concepts of emotional and traumatic event are reported as they can help to clarify the main differences between these two classes of events. Then, the main theoretical and empirical perspectives on emotional and traumatic memory are examined, paying special attention to recent research investigating similarities and differences between emotional and traumatic memories either in normal or psychopathological subjects. Overall, findings from this research line provide inconsistent indications about the psychological mechanisms involved in long-term memory for emotional and traumatic events. The author discusses limitations that characterize this field of investigation, suggesting new research directions and identifying their practical implications.