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The neural correlates of positive self-evaluation and self-related memory

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Andreas FinkelmeyerORCiD

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Abstract

Humans tend to have a positive self-evaluation (PSE). To what extent positive self-perception is interacting with valenced self-related memories is debated. The underlying neural substrates are not adequately explained yet. To explore the cerebral correlates of PSE and its influence on memory, 24 healthy subjects were asked during fMRI to decide in two conditions whether presented positive and negative personality traits characterized their own selves (self-evaluation) or an intimate other (other-evaluation). A lexical condition served as control task. In a subsequent unannounced recognition task, trait adjectives had to be classified as old or new. Activation during positive self- vs positive other-evaluation was found in the medial ventral and dorsolateral prefrontal gyri, the parahippocampus and the supplementary motor area. Memory increased for positive personality traits and traits that had been referred to oneself or the other. In contrast to adjectives of the other-evaluation or lexical condition, recollection of negative vs positive traits of the self-evaluation condition specifically induced increased activation in the hippocampus and several prefrontal and temporal areas. Our data imply a specific network for PSE (although intimate others are perceived similarly). Moreover, memory for traits contradicting PSE resulted in activation increases indicating greater cognitive effort and emotional involvement.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Pauly K, Finkelmeyer A, Schneider F, Habel U

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

Year: 2013

Volume: 8

Issue: 8

Pages: 878-886

Print publication date: 01/12/2013

Online publication date: 25/07/2013

Acceptance date: 20/07/2012

ISSN (print): 1749-5016

ISSN (electronic): 1749-5024

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/scan/nss086

DOI: 10.1093/scan/nss086

PubMed id: 22842813


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
112/05START-Program
IRTG 1328German Research Foundation (DFG)
IZKFInterdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research of the Faculty of Medicine at RWTH Aachen University
KFO 112German Research Foundation (DFG)
N2-6Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research of the Faculty of Medicine at RWTH Aachen University

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