The present research investigated whether the differential recogni tion thresholds associated with memory for self-relevant negative feedback stem from processes occurring at encoding and/or sup pression at retrieval. Socioemotional and monetary incentives offered before and after encoding did not significantly affect recog nition thresholds for negative, self-relevant personality feedback (Studies 1–2). However, when presented before encoding took place, the combination of socioemotional and monetary incentives did impact recognition thresholds for negative personality feed back (about another person: Study 2). Differences in memory (rather than concealed knowledge) predicted ERP patterns asso ciated with forgotten negative, self-relevant feedback as early as the encoding stage (Study 3). Results suggest that disrupted pro cesses during encoding may play a role in the differential recogni tion thresholds associated with memory for negative, self-relevant feedback.