Neural basis of self

The neural basis of self is the idea of using modern concepts of neuroscience to describe and understand the biological processes that underlie humans' perception of self-understanding.

One of the more common methods of determining brain areas that pertain to different mental processes is by using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

This is due to the assumption that portions of the brain receiving increased blood flow are being used more heavily during the moment of scanning.

The current study of embodiment suggests that sensory input and experiences impact human's overall perception.

The second portion of the brain thought to be involved in perception of embodiment is the extrastriate body area.

The temporoparietal junction deals with disembodied rather than embodied self-location, explaining why a person's physical position does not affect its activation.

The anterior and medial prefrontal cortex and the superior temporal sulcus are activated when people feel guilt, compassion, or embarrassment.

This is thought of as a somewhat permanent perception of oneself that is unaffected by environmental and temporary cues and influences.

People who view themselves in an individualistic sense describe themselves with personality traits that are permanent descriptions unrelated to particular situations.

The collectivistic view of self, however, involves people's perception of themselves as members of a group or in a particular situation.

The view people have of themselves in a collectivistic sense is entirely dependent on the situation they are in and the group with which they are interacting.

These results can then be compared to fMRI data of the same patients when they are asked if the same phrases describe another individual, such as a well-known fictional character.

However, children show greater medial prefrontal cortex activation than adults when performing self-knowledge retrieval tasks.

Additionally, children and adults activate different specific regions in the medial prefrontal cortex.

Older children more significantly activate the medial prefrontal cortex because they deal with introspection much less frequently than adults and adolescents.

Children have decreased specificity in skills than adults, so they show greater activation during spatial tasks.

This is explained by the idea that with increased expertise in a task, decreased interest in wide spatial parameters occurs.