Final answer:
The group that did not recall depression-associated words better than normal individuals was those with a high positive cognitive style. Individuals with high negative or low positive cognitive styles are more likely to recall negative words, aligning with the cognitive patterns associated with depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
In cognitive research concerning word memory in depressed individuals, the group that did not recall depression-associated words better than normal people was Individuals with high positive cognitive style (C). Research indicates that individuals with high negative cognitive style (A) and those with low positive cognitive style (D) tend to recall negative or depression-associated words better. This is in keeping with the tendency of individuals with depressive symptoms to have more vivid recall of information that aligns with their negative schemas. In contrast, those with a high positive cognitive style are less likely to focus on such negative information, reflecting their generally more optimistic outlook and a tendency to recall positive rather than negative information.
Findings from Robinson and Alloy (2003), and further supported by Joormann (2009), illustrate that cognitive processes, including memory recall for certain word types, are influenced by an individual's cognitive style and mood states. This suggests that individuals prone to depression, particularly those with a high negative cognitive style, may benefit from cognitive behavioral strategies that aim to alter their cognitive style, as per the research of DeRubeis et al. (2005) and Troy et al. (2010).