Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

A Naturalistic Setup for Presenting Real People and Live Actions in Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Studies
Published on: August 4, 2023
Source memory for action in young and older adults: self vs. close or unknown others
Nicole M Rosa1, Angela H Gutchess
1Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110, USA. nrosa@brandeis.edu
None:
The present study examines source memory for actions (e.g., placing items in a suitcase). For both young and older adult participants, source memory for actions performed by the self was better than memory for actions performed by either a known (close) or unknown other. In addition, neither young nor older adults were more likely to confuse self with close others than with unknown others. Results suggest an advantage in source memory for actions performed by the self compared to others, possibly associated with sensorimotor cues that are relatively preserved in aging.
Related Concept Videos
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
Self-Schemas
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game
Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals
Self-Concept
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...

