Perceptual processing of stimuli related to an analogue traumatic event: An ERP study

•Participants viewed visual stimuli after being exposed to neutral and trauma films.•P1 amplitude was more positive when participants viewed trauma-related stimuli.•This effect was stronger in participants primed with perceptual encoding strategies. Previous research has suggested that exposure to potentially traumatic events can lead to increased perceptual processing specific to trauma-related stimuli. Moreover, conceptual processing strategies during encoding may reduce the effect of trauma exposure on perceptual processing. The current study investigated the effect of a trauma film on perceptual processing with visual evoked potentials. Participants were primed with perceptual or conceptual processing strategies, then viewed a trauma film and a control film. Participants then looked at emotionally negative and neutral images that were related or unrelated to the films. The amplitude of the P1 evoked potential was measured during image presentation. P1 amplitude was more positive specifically for negative film-related stimuli. Moreover, this effect was stronger in participants primed with perceptual processing. These results suggest that potentially traumatic events increase perceptual processing specifically for trauma-related stimuli, and that conceptual encoding strategies attenuate the effect of exposure to potentially traumatic events on perception.