Activation of Anterior Insula during Self-Reflection
Author Information
Author(s): Gemma Modinos, Johan Ormel, André Aleman
Primary Institution: BCN Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Hypothesis
The study aimed to clarify whether insula activity would be intrinsically involved in self-reflection.
Conclusion
The results provide further evidence for the specific recruitment of anterior MPFC and ACC regions for self-related processing, and highlight a role for the insula in self-reflection.
Supporting Evidence
- Significant neural activation in the left anterior insula was observed as uniquely associated with self-reflection.
- Both person conditions recruited a common set of medial prefrontal and posterior regions.
- Self-reflection produced significant neural activation in ACC, middle and superior frontal gyri.
Takeaway
This study looked at how our brain works when we think about ourselves compared to thinking about someone else, and found that a specific part of the brain, the insula, is important for self-reflection.
Methodology
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to scan subjects while they reflected on their personal qualities compared to those of an acquaintance.
Potential Biases
Participants may have been biased towards providing socially desirable responses.
Limitations
The study could not control for social desirability, which may have influenced participants' responses.
Participant Demographics
Sixteen right-handed, healthy university students (10 male, aged 18–27 years; M=20.8 years, SD=2.5).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.040
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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