The interaction of emotion and cognition has received experimental attention, but the results have generally been weak and sometimes contradictory. Why this work on mood and memory has faltered is discussed, and a more holistic approach to the study of emotion and cognition is proposed. It is argued that a constructivist approach to memory may be more appropriate than currently used associational theories for exploring the interaction between cognition and emotion. The experimental approach is critiqued as incompatible for the study of emotion, and a constructive and holistic approach is advocated for research in this area. A conceptual framework based on current findings is used to suggest some potential directions for research. The three consistent themes that have emerged from work on mood congruent memory that can provide a starting point for investigation are: (1) the idea that emotion in any form represents a source of information or meaning for the individual; (2) that this meaning may be particularly salient under conditions of uncertainty; and (3) that emotional meaning will also be salient when the self is involved to some degree. (Contains 69 references.) (SLD)