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Related Concept Videos

Understanding the Self01:28

Understanding the Self

The self is a central aspect of human identity, encompassing an individual’s beliefs, emotions, perceptions, and experiences. It is a cognitive and psychological construct that enables individuals to interpret their traits and behaviors, influencing how they perceive themselves and interact with the world. While personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics, the self is shaped by self-perception and social experiences. This distinction highlights the dynamic nature of the self,...
Understanding Self-Concept01:20

Understanding Self-Concept

The self-concept encompasses individuals' beliefs about themselves, structured through cognitive frameworks known as self-schemas. These schemas function as mental representations of specific traits or behaviors, influencing how self-relevant information is perceived, processed, and remembered. For example, individuals who are schematic for body weight are more likely to interpret routine experiences—such as dining out or shopping—through the lens of that trait. Conversely, those aschematic for...
Self-Schemas02:16

Self-Schemas

In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
Cerebral Hemispheres01:05

Cerebral Hemispheres

The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
Reason and Intuition01:37

Reason and Intuition

The human brain processes information for decision-making using one of two routes: an intuitive system and a rational system (Epstein, 1994; popularized by Kahneman, 2011 as System 1 and System 2, respectively). The intuitive system is quick, impulsive, and operates with minimal effort, relying on emotions or habits to provide cues for what to do next, while the rational system is logical, analytical, deliberate, and methodical. Research in neuropsychology suggests that the brain can only use...
Organization of the Brain01:30

Organization of the Brain

The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Investigating the Function of Deep Cortical and Subcortical Structures Using Stereotactic Electroencephalography: Lessons from the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
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Investigating the Function of Deep Cortical and Subcortical Structures Using Stereotactic Electroencephalography: Lessons from the Anterior Cingulate Cortex

Published on: April 15, 2015

The self in the Cartesian brain.

Shaun Gallagher1

  • 1University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. sgllghr1@memphis.edu

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|October 13, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neurobiological insights challenge traditional self theories, favoring a dynamic, narrative view of the self. This shift reflects a deeper understanding of brain function and self-representation.

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Perspectives on Neuroscience
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Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

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Perspectives on Neuroscience
26:41

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Philosophy of Mind

Background:

  • Classical Cartesian dualism posits a mind-body separation, influencing early self theories.
  • Emerging neurobiological data challenges these dualistic views.
  • Embodied self theories propose self is grounded in bodily experience and interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the impact of neurobiological advancements on self theories.
  • To contrast Cartesian representations with embodied self theories.
  • To discuss the evolution towards a narrative self.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of neurobiological findings.
  • Conceptual analysis of philosophical self theories.
  • Synthesis of cognitive and neuroscientific perspectives.

Main Results:

  • Neurobiological evidence supports embodied cognition and challenges mind-body dualism.
  • The concept of a fixed, singular self is increasingly supplanted by a dynamic, multifaceted self.
  • A narrative account of self integrates diverse experiences and brain functions.

Conclusions:

  • Increased neurobiological understanding necessitates a revised framework for the self.
  • Embodied and narrative self theories offer more comprehensive models.
  • Future research should integrate neurobiological data with phenomenological accounts of selfhood.