Study: Positive Thinking Reduces Memory Degradation

A new study published in the Journal of Psychological Science found that people who feel enthusiastic and euphoric, what scientists call a "positive effect", are less likely to experience memory decline with age.

This finding adds to a growing body of research on the role of positive influence in healthy aging.

The researchers examined the link between positive influence and memory decline by taking into account age, gender, education, depression, negative influence and extraversion.

"Our results showed that memory declines with age," said Claudia Haas, an assistant professor at Northwestern University, one of the authors of the study.

Emily Hettner, Ph.D. from Northwestern University and lead author of the study, said: "However, individuals who have high levels of positive influence have less memory decline over the course of nearly a decade."