Newcastle University researchers are applying mathematical tools from quantum physics to unravel the complexities of human memory, receiving £1.2 million from a UK Research and Innovation Cross-Council grant to model emotional memory. The project, dubbed Quantum Emotions, focuses on understanding why the order of remembered events can become distorted when emotions are involved, with scientists investigating why some moments feel vividly clear while others do not. “This funding will allow us to create new tools for understanding emotional memory, with potential applications in ageing, mental health, and the criminal justice system,” said Dr. Barbara-Anne Robertson, who leads the project. By utilizing quantum formalism, a method suited to systems where event order matters, the team hopes to model memory behaviors that elude traditional psychological explanations, bridging the gap between physics and cognitive science.
Quantum Formalism Models Emotional Memory Distortion
Researchers are not simply cataloging memory inaccuracies, but are focusing on the subjective experience of distortion, specifically why certain emotional moments appear vividly clear while others become fragmented or displaced in the recalled sequence. This focus on the felt experience of memory, rather than simply its accuracy, distinguishes the project and highlights its potential for applications beyond purely academic inquiry. Jonte Hance, Head of the Quantum Group at Newcastle University, describes this as an exciting opportunity to use ideas from quantum theory to model systems outside of physics, like emotional memory, where the order of events really matters. Quantum formalism, typically used to describe the behavior of subatomic particles, is uniquely suited to modeling systems where the sequence of events significantly impacts the outcome, mirroring the way human memory reconstructs narratives.
This approach allows the team to move beyond linear models of memory and explore the possibility that emotional experiences create non-linear distortions in the perceived order of events, potentially explaining why memories feel subjective. The project’s scope extends beyond theoretical modeling; researchers intend to explore both the behavioral patterns and the underlying neural systems involved when emotions alter memory formation, retrieval, and sequencing. Barbara-Anne Robertson, Lecturer in Newcastle University’s School of Psychology and leader of the Quantum Emotions project, plans to foster a national network of researchers in Quantum Cognition through workshops and events, aiming to establish a collaborative environment for future large-scale research initiatives and expand the application of quantum formalism to complex cognitive processes.
Newcastle University Launches National Quantum Cognition Network
Newcastle University has established itself as a central hub for an interdisciplinary field, planning to build a national network dedicated to Quantum Cognition following a substantial investment from UK Research and Innovation. The £1.2 million Cross-Council grant signifies a commitment to applying principles from quantum physics to the study of human memory, specifically how emotional experiences impact recollection. This funding will not only support research at Newcastle, but also foster collaborations across the United Kingdom through a series of planned workshops and events designed to train a new generation of researchers. The initiative builds on increasing recognition that traditional psychological frameworks struggle to fully explain the complexities of memory distortion, particularly concerning the sequencing of events. This approach moves beyond simply assessing the accuracy of memory to explore the underlying mechanisms that shape its organization, emphasizing the international scope of the endeavor and its potential to redefine our understanding of cognitive processes.
This is an exciting opportunity to use ideas from quantum theory to model systems outside of physics, like emotional memory, where the order of events really matters.
