Understanding Reality and Fiction in the Brain
Author Information
Author(s): Abraham Anna, von Cramon D. Yves
Primary Institution: Max Planck Institute for Human Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Hypothesis
Real entities may be conceptually coded as being more personally relevant to us than fictional characters.
Conclusion
The study shows that personal relevance affects how our brain distinguishes between real and fictional entities.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants were slower to respond to fictional characters than to famous or friend entities.
- Response accuracy was lower for fictional characters compared to real entities.
- Personal relevance modulated brain activation in regions associated with self-referential processing.
Takeaway
The brain reacts differently to real people compared to fictional characters, depending on how relevant those people are to us.
Methodology
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to compare brain responses to real and fictional characters based on personal relevance.
Limitations
The study's findings may not generalize to all contexts of personal relevance.
Participant Demographics
19 right-handed healthy volunteers (10 female; mean age: 24.58; age range: 21–30).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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