Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae
Published on: July 8, 2025
EEG correlates of spontaneous self-referential thoughts: a cross-cultural study
Gennady G Knyazev1, Alexander N Savostyanov, Nina V Volf
1Institute of Physiology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia. knyazev@physiol.ru
Abstract:
The default mode network (DMN) has been mostly investigated using positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and has received mixed support in electroencephalographic (EEG) studies. In this study, after sLORETA transformation of EEG data, we applied group spatial independent component analysis which is routinely used in fMRI research. In three large and diverse samples coming from two different cultures (Russian and Taiwanese), spontaneous EEG data and retrospective questionnaire measures of subject's state, thoughts, and feelings during the EEG registration were collected. Regression analyses showed that appearance of spontaneous self-referential thoughts was best predicted by enhanced alpha activity within the DMN. Diminished theta and delta activity in the superior frontal gyrus and enhanced beta activity in the postcentral gyrus added to the prediction. The enhanced alpha activity prevailed in the posterior DMN hub in Russian, but in the anterior DMN hub in Taiwanese participants. Possible cross-cultural differences in personality and attitudes underlying this difference are discussed.
More Related Videos
09:00Investigating the Function of Deep Cortical and Subcortical Structures Using Stereotactic Electroencephalography: Lessons from the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Published on: April 15, 2015
11:30Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotional Autobiographical Recollection
Published on: August 26, 2011
Related Concept Videos
Understanding Self-Concept
Self-Serving Bias
Self-Awareness and Its Effects
Understanding the Self
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Social Foundations of Self III: Self-Evaluation