And, dreams are shown to comprise components of the days’ events, only distorted and with the addition of fantastical and absurd elements. We know that sleep is an active part of the consolidation process which makes memories of all types more durable. Sleep is presented as a time for moving the day’s memories into long-term storage. The relationship between sleep and memory is also portrayed well. This positivity bias in remembering the past has been called the Pollyanna Principle, and it is a normal, healthy aspect of remembering. Although certainly some events become more negative over time (which is depicted in the film), more often memories become more positive in retrospect. It’s well-established that the emotional character of events is sometimes altered as we recall them. A golden-hued joyful memory starts to turn blue when held by Sadness, showing the transformation of a previously happy memory to one that becomes bittersweet with the acknowledgment of loss. Each globe takes on a different hue depending on the primary emotion of the event. In the movie, memories are shown as translucent globes encapsulating events. One recurring plot point is how memories can be changed when they are remembered. The character of Joy frequently recalls past memories of pleasant events in order to make Riley happy in the moment. Memories allow us to mentally time travel and to relive the past in the present. In some respects, the movie captures the science behind memory and emotion really well, such as how remembering past events can regulate emotion. The central location of the story is Headquarters, which corresponds to the current contents of Riley’s consciousness – what she is perceiving from the world around her and what the emotions and other “mind workers” choose to show her in the form of memories or ideas. Riley’s mind is shown to be vast, comprising many individual units (Imagination Land and Abstract Thought, for instance). The action primarily takes place within Riley’s mind, with anthropomorphic emotions – Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust – as the main characters. As a cognitive psychologist who studies memory, I was excited to see how the film showed the relationship between memory and emotion. The filmmakers consulted with neuroscientists and psychologists to help make sure they got the science right. The film is getting a lot of attention for its depiction of emotion and memory. Disney/Pixar’s newest film, Inside Out, tells the story of 11-year-old Riley and her difficulty dealing with a family move to San Francisco.
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